The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Reproduced with permissionThe number of gallstone disease cases in Singapore is increasing. Dr Thng Yongxian, a consultant at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital's division of hepatopancreatobiliary and general surgery, says possible reasons for the increase are an increasing population size, ageing population and unhealthy lifestyle, coupled with a high consumption of high-fat processed food and lack of exercise.
There was also a 50 per cent spike in patients at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital undergoing gallbladder removal surgery in 2021 compared with 2020. Dr Thng says this was due to the pandemic when non-urgent surgeries were temporarily deferred to cope with the rise in Covid-19 cases.
Dr Nigel Tan, an associate consultant with the division of hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery at Alexandra Hospital, has also seen a 10 to 15 per cent increase in patients with the condition in the past few years. He says the rise is likely related to increasing referrals from polyclinics and general practitioner clinics.
To prevent gallstone disease, doctors advise people to maintain a diet that is high in fibre and low in refined carbohydrates, sugar and saturated fats, and to exercise regularly. Says Dr Tan: "While gallstone disease is treatable, leading both an active lifestyle and maintaining a healthy diet can help one avoid this altogether."
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