While there’s plenty of fitness and health news that just seems like it’s designed to scare the pants off us, there’s also plenty that we need to pay attention to. Our monthly health hub in print and online will answer a few questions and give you health news that’s relevant to keeping you fit and healthy.
Health Help – Readers’ Questions
“What’s the difference between gastric pain and gallstone pain? I can’t tell if it’s just something I ate.”
Dr Sujit Singh Gill, Consultant Vascular and General Surgeon at The Vascular & General Surgery Centre
If you’re experiencing pain in your upper abdomen, figuring out whether it’s “just something you ate” or something more serious like gallstones can be difficult.
Gastric pain is typically felt as a burning or gnawing discomfort in the upper abdomen just below the chest. Bloating, nausea and a sensation of fullness may occur. It’s often triggered by spicy foods, caffeine, stress or skipping meals, and it might improve with antacids or after consuming food. The onset tends to be gradual. Sometimes, these symptoms can be severe, mimicking a gallstone attack.
Gallstone pain is usually located in the upper right abdomen and can radiate to the right shoulder or back. It’s sharp, intense and often begins suddenly – nausea, vomiting and cold sweats often accompany the pain. The pain is persistent, lasting from 30 minutes to several hours and does not improve with antacids. While it may be triggered by a heavy or fatty meal, this is not always the case. If the pain is mild and improves with antacids, it’s more likely gastric.
If the pain is accompanied by fever, chills, jaundice, dark-coloured urine, pale stools or itchy skin, seek urgent medical attention. These may be signs of serious complications. If you’re still unsure, speak to your doctor for proper diagnosis.
Unit 18-05, Paragon Medical Suites, 290 Orchard Road
6736 2302 | tvgsc.sg | enquiry@tvgsc.sg
Health Help – Readers’ Questions
“I’m a gynaecological cancer survivor in my 40s experiencing fatigue, joint pain and mood swings. Is this menopause or has my cancer returned?”
Dr Lim Sheow Lei, Senior Medical Oncologist at OncoCare Cancer Centre
Menopause, defined as 12 months without menstruation, is a natural part of ageing for most women, usually occurring around age 49 in Singapore. Natural menopause is gradual, but cancer treatments can cause an abrupt drop in oestrogen levels and induce early or abrupt menopause.
This is particularly true for gynaecological cancer patients. Many gynaecological cancers affect women at the typical age for menopause, with one-third of patients in Singapore under 50. Treatments often involve ovary removal, pelvic radiation or chemotherapy, all of which can suddenly halt hormone production and trigger early menopause with more severe symptoms.
Adding to the confusion, menopausal symptoms can closely resemble effects of cancer treatment or even signs of recurrence. In Singapore, muscle and joint pain is the most common symptom, affecting one in three women, whereas hot flushes are more typical in Western populations. Other symptoms like fatigue or joint pain can mimic cancer treatment effects or signs of recurrence, heightening anxiety in survivors already carrying emotional trauma.
Despite the prevalence of these symptoms, many women fail to recognise them. Others may hesitate to voice their experiences due to cultural norms, societal stigma or the misconception that suffering in silence is part of the process. This silence can delay diagnosis and management.
It’s important for doctors to differentiate between symptoms due to treatment and those due to hormonal changes. Menopause is often the missing piece in post-cancer care conversations.
Gleneagles, Gleneagles Annexe, Mount Elizabeth Novena,
Mount Elizabeth Orchard & Mount Alvernia
6250 8160 | oncocare.sg | enquiries@oncocare.sg
This health hub of fitness and health news first appeared in our monthly Expat Living magazine. You can purchase a copy or subscribe so you never miss an issue! Or head over to our Health & Fitness section for lots of great full-length features.
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