Are You at Risk of developing Gallstones?
A majority of my patients suffering from gallstones don’t show any symptoms and may not even realize they are suffering from them when the gallstones block the drains in the Biliary tract (a gallbladder attack) and cause extreme pain that requires prompt medical care. Gallbladder attacks usually occur after eating a heavy meal, and they typically occur at night or in the late night.
Who has gallstones?
Did you realize that gallstones aren’t actually stones? They’re actually small, hard particles that develop inside the gallbladder, a small, pear-shaped , organ in the abdomen’s upper right (the part between your hips and chest, which is beneath the liver). They can vary in sizes from a grain sand to the size of a golf ball. You may have a single big stone, or hundreds of tiny stones or both big and small stones.
The gallstone sufferers that the doctors encounter in their clinic tend to follow the national guidelines that is women over 40 and slighty overweight.
The symptoms of gallstones
As I mentioned earlier you may not be aware of having gallstones until your Gallbladder Stone doctor advises you. (Lucky you! For many they’re always a source of discomfort and pain.) If you experience any symptoms, they typically include:
The pain in your upper stomach and upper back, which can last for hours
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Bloating
- Indigestion
- Heartburn
- Gas
- Diarrhea
There is a chance of developing gallstones in the following situations:
It is more likely that you will develop gallstones when you meet one of the following conditions:
1) You’re obese. This is the most significant risk element. Obese people particularly women, are at an greater likelihood for developing gallstones. The weight gain increases levels of cholesterol present in the bile, and makes it more difficult for the gallbladder to completely empty and, in turn, result in the formation of gallstones.
2.) You are taking birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy to treat menopausal symptoms or expecting a baby. Increased estrogen levels can cause an increase in cholesterol levels in the bile and reduce the gallbladder’s contractions which could cause gallstones develop.
3) You suffer from diabetes. People who suffer from this condition are more likely to have greater levels of triglycerides (a kind of blood fat) that is an indicator of gallstones.
4.) You are taking medication to lower cholesterol. Certain cholesterol medications increase levels of cholesterol found in the bile. This can increase the likelihood of developing cholesterol stones.
5) Sudden weight loss. When the body breaks down fats during eating and weight reduction, it releases excess cholesterol into the bile. The rapid weight loss may stop the gallbladder from emptying efficiently. Bariatric surgery and diets that are low in calories usually result in rapid weight loss and an increase in the chance of developing gallstones.
6) Fasting. This can reduce the gallbladder’s contractions, which could cause gallstones to develop.
7.) Gallstones run in your family. People who have an ancestry of gallstones are at a greater risk.
8) You’re female. The likelihood of women being more likely suffer from gallstones than males due to the greater concentrations of estrogen. The increase in estrogen levels could result from the pregnancy process, hormone replacement therapy or birth hormone replacement therapy.
9) You’re past 40. Age 40 and over tend to suffer from gallstones than younger individuals.
10) It is a diet packed with calories and refined carbohydrates , and very low in fiber. Refined carbohydrates are the grains which have been processed to eliminate bran and germ, which are important elements that are rich in the nutrients as well as fiber (examples white flour and rice).
11) You suffer from certain intestinal disorders. Conditions that interfere with the intake of nutrition, like Crohn’s disease, can be caused by gallstones.
12) You suffer from metabolic syndrome or diabetes or insulin resistance. These conditions can increase the risk of gallstones. Metabolic syndrome is a set of medical and physical conditions related to having an overweight, or obesity. It exposes people to heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Also Read: Diet Plan After Gallbladder Removal?
Treatment for gallstones
The standard method of treating gallstones is surgical to eliminate the gallbladder. Alternatively, nonsurgical treatment options can be employed to dissolve cholesterol gallstones. Surgery to remove the gallbladder known as cholecystectomy, is among of the most frequently performed procedures carried out for adults within the United States. Gallbladders are not an essential organ, meaning that people can live their lives without it.
There are two kinds of cholecystectomy.
1) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This procedure is performed by the surgeon makes a few tiny abdominal incisions and then inserts a laparoscope, a small tube that has a small video camera that is attached. The camera broadcasts an image magnified from inside an organ to a monitor, which gives the surgeon a detailed view of the organs and tissues. When the surgical surgeon is watching his monitor, she divides the gallbladder into the liver as well as bile ducts, and other tissues. They then remove it via one of the small cuts.
2) Open cholecystectomy. A cholecystectomy that is open can be performed in cases where the gallbladder has become severely injured, infected, or scarred by other surgeries. In the procedure, the surgeon makes an incision of about 4-6 inches into the abdomen in order to remove the gallbladder.
Two kinds of nonsurgical treatments are available to help dissolve gallstones of cholesterol:
1) Oral dissolution treatment. Ursodiol (Actigall) as well as Chenodiol (Chenix) are two medications which contain bile acids to dissolve gallstones. A few months or years of treatment for Gallstone using these drugs might be necessary to eliminate the stones completely.
2) Lungotripsy using shock waves. This is only used infrequently, the treatment makes use of a machine known as a lithotripter that crushes the gallstones. The lithotripter creates shock waves that travel through the body of the patient to break up the gallstones into pieces.
If you suspect you have gallstones in your body, please get in touch with us.
If you suspect that you have gallstones in your body, please contact us at +91 9007709736 for appointments with our highly-trained Gallstone Specialist. We’ll run tests, and should you be confirmed to have gallstones we’ll go over the options for treatment and, with you, determine the best treatment plan to treat your specific situation. If you ever need us, we’re with you.
About Docor
Dr. Azhar Alam
MBBS (Honours), MRCS A (UK),
DNB General Surgery
FIAGES (Gastro Intestinal Surgery)
FMAS (Minimal Access Surgery),
MNAMS (New Delhi)
Consultant Gastrointestinal, Advanced Laparoscopic and Laser Surgeon
Assistant Professor of Surgery, KPC Medical College and Hospital
