Gallstones

What Are Gallstones?

Gallstones are hard particles that form in the gallbladder, a small organ that stores bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver. They can vary in size from tiny grains to large stones. These stones can block the normal flow of bile and cause pain, inflammation, or infection. They can lead to life-threatening complications if left untreated.

What Causes Gallstones?

Gallstones are formed when there is too much cholesterol or bilirubin in the bile. This can happen if the gallbladder is unable to drain out these components regularly. It makes the bile concentrated which granule and block the ducts. While there is no determinable cause of why this happens, there are certain factors that can put you at a higher risk of developing these stones. For example:

• Women are more likely to develop gallstones than men.
• They are more common in people over 40 years of age.
• A high-fat, high-cholesterol, or low-fiber diet can contribute to gallstone formation.
• Similarly, chronic conditions like diabetes and liver cirrhosis can increase the risk.
• Obesity, pregnancy, and quick weight loss after a bariatric surgery have also shown an increased risk.
• You are more likely to have gallstones if any member of your family has also had them.
• Plus, some medications increase the risk of gallstones.

What Are The Symptoms Of Gallstones?

Stones in the gallbladder are likely to go unnoticed until it blocks a bile duct. And when it does, you may experience the following symptoms:

• Intense abdominal pain
• Back pain
• Persistent indigestion
• Nausea or vomiting
• Jaundice-like symptoms (yellow eyes and skin)
• Fever and chills accompanied by abdominal pain
• Light colored stools
• Sudden severe pain, signaling gallbladder in distress.

If you suspect gallstones, seek medical care immediately. Ignorance can lead to severe complications. In the matter of these stones, time is of the essence.

How Are Gallstones Treated?

After taking your medical history and a quick physical examination, the doctor will prescribe you some diagnostic tests like ultrasound, endoscopic ultrasound, HIDA scan, CT scan, etc. These will help the doctor map the exact nature of the issue and devise a customized treatment plan. Let’s look at some treatment options:

Non-surgical

• If your symptoms are mild and the situation is not severe, some oral medicines can be advised that will help dissolve the granules. This may even be months. But worry not, your progress will be monitored to ensure you are not at any risk.
• Shock wave therapy can be used to break down the stones into smaller pieces, making them easier to pass. This can be a bit uncomfortable but get the job done without needing surgery.
• Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography or ERCP uses an endoscope to extract these stones and unclog the ducts. If deemed appropriate, this procedure can be performed even while performing the diagnostic endoscopy.

Surgical

• The surgical procedure can be laparoscopic or open. This will be decided by the doctor depending on the severity of complications (if any). More commonly, the doctor will remove the gallstones in a minimally invasive procedure. However, since gallstones have a tendency to recur, sometimes, doctors suggest removing the gallbladder altogether. This organ is not vital for survival but can cause severe health complications.