Four Things You Need to Know About Gallbladder Stones
Are you experiencing severe abdominal pain? Gallstones could be a possibility. Learn more about the symptoms and signs of gallstones.
The gallbladder, which is located beneath your liver and stores bile from it, is an insignificant organ. This bile helps to digest fat foods by passing to your small intestine. Gallstones can cause severe pain.
What are gallstones?
Gallstones are formed when tiny bits of crystalized liver bile combine to form clumps. These stones can be as small or large as a grain salt, but they are not as common as eggs. These “silent” gallstones are not visible and can be ignored. They can cause severe inflammation and pain when they attempt to pass through the small bile duct. The pain can last from a few minutes up to several hours and feel similar to indigestion.
Other symptoms include:
- Extreme abdominal pain with no relief from pain medication
- A meal high in fat can cause pain that gets worse after eating.
- Chest pain
- Heartburn and excess gas
- Tenderness in the abdomen, particularly on the upper right side
Jaundice - Nausea
- Pancreatitis
While pain may be a sign of gallstones, it is important to understand that gallstones can also cause discomfort.
Who is at greatest risk of gallstones?
Gallstones are becoming more common and can affect all ages.
Gallstone-causing factors include:
- Obesity
- A rise in estrogen due to pregnancy or hormone therapy
- A diet high-in fat and refined carbs and low in fiber
Gallstones can be more common in those with a family history and multiple pregnancies. The risk is higher in older people, with 25% of those 60 and older developing them.
How can gallstones be treated?
Gallstones can be confirmed by an X-ray or CT scan, as well as ultrasound. If you don’t experience any symptoms, you can live with them until they become serious. It is possible to change your diet to include preventative factors such as fiber, caffeine, polyunsaturated oil, and monounsaturated oil.
You should not suddenly switch to a vegetarian diet. Rapid changes in gallbladder activity from being active and constantly digesting fats to being completely silent can lead to more gallstones. Gallstones can also be caused by crash-diets that result in rapid weight loss. Talk to your surgeon if you are considering weight management surgery.
A cholecystectomy may be recommended if the best Gallbladder doctor in Kolkata recommends that your gallbladder is removed. This procedure involves a surgical incision and then laparoscopic surgery to remove the gallbladder. Patients experience little discomfort and pain after this procedure.
Ramos states that not all gallstones should be removed surgically. Sometimes, a the best Gall Specialist doctor will discover gallstones during a procedure to remove kidney stones. The gallbladder might not have to be removed if they don’t cause you any symptoms. If you are experiencing persistent pain, surgery may be the best option. Patients with immunosuppression should also consider surgery as gallstones could cause a fatal infection.
Are there any complications with gallstones?
Gallstones can still pose a risk to your health, even if they aren’t causing you pain. One side effect is jaundice. This is where your skin turns yellow and itches. Acute cholecystitis is another side effect.
This occurs when the stone blocks the cystic drain, which prevents the gallbladder bile from exiting the bile conduit. Symptoms include severe pain, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes even death. Acute pancreatitis can also be treated with surgery in the worst cases. After having their gallbladder removed, most patients can return to their normal lives.
Ramos says that a healthy diet low in fat and simple carbs, like sugar and refined flour, is the best way to prevent gallstones. Gallstones are often associated with obesity, so try to maintain a healthy weight. A balanced, healthy diet low in fat is the best way to prevent gallstones. Eat whole, fresh fruits and vegetables for your carbohydrate intake. To keep your bile clear, you should drink plenty of water.
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
