Bengaluru: As the city heats up, many people fail to stay hydrated, and this lack of water intake is directly contributing to the rise in gallbladder issues, say experts. City hospitals say gallbladder-related issues doubled in the past year, with cases jumping from 30 to 60 a month. Dr BS Ravindra, director, department of gastroenterology and hepatology, Fortis Hospitals, said, “We’ve seen a clear increase in gallstone cases this April and May.About a year ago, we were operating on around 35 gallstone cases a month. Now, that number jumped to 60. One major factor for the increase is the summer heat and reduced water intake. People tend to eat more oily and fried foods, and when they don’t stay well hydrated, it can trigger gallstone formation. This pattern wasn’t so visible in Jan or Feb this year, but by the end of March and into April and May, we’ve definitely seen a sharp rise in gallstone disease.” Experts say any other fluids cannot replace water for hydration.Dr Harshavardhan Rao B, HOD, medical gastroenterology at Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, said, “We’re seeing at least two to three new cases ofgallstonesevery day now. Two years ago, we would spot just two to three cases a week. Today, it’s closer to 10 or 12. That’s a steep rise, and it’s clearly linked to lifestyle shifts. Since Covid, we’ve seen a marked increase in sedentary habits — people working from home, barely moving, and getting very little physical activity. That kind of lifestyle is a known risk factor for gallstones.”The other big factor is diet. “We’re eating more high-fat, low-fibre, highly processed food than ever before.India traditionally had a much lower prevalence of gallstones compared to western countries. But over the past decade or two, our eating habits changed drastically. Obesity and diabetes are rising too, and both are directly linked to gallstone formation. It’s a clear sign that our health is paying the price for modern convenience,” he added.Dr Bhushan Chittawadagi, senior consultant, advanced laparoscopic, gastro, and GI cancer surgeon at Altius Hospital, said, “Over the past two to three months, I noticed a definite uptick, around 6 to 8 gallstone cases coming in, which is more than what we typically see. The poor lifestyle habits are closely linked to metabolic syndrome, a known trigger for gallstone formation. On top of that, the increased use of diagnostic tools like abdominal ultrasounds and advanced imaging means we’re spotting more cases, including those that might’ve previously gone undetected.”Precautions to prevent Gallbladder issues:- Drink adequate amount of water- Limit fried and fatty foods- Increase fibre intake- Exercise regularly- Routine checkupsSymptoms to Look Out For:- Sudden, sharp pain in the upper right side of the abdomen- Nausea and vomiting- Indigestion or bloating after eating fatty foods- Fever (if infection sets in)