CONDITION
What is Gallstone
Gallstones are small deposits of solid matter that form in the gallbladder. They are very common, and most people with gallstones don’t have symptoms or other health problems. However, some 10-15% people may experience symptoms such as abdominal pain (sometimes called biliary colic) or nausea.
Gallstones are more common in women than men and increase in frequency as people age.
Gallstones are small stones that form in the gallbladder. Gallstones are common and don’t always need treatment.
Most people found gallstones during health screening ultrasound examinations. If you have symptoms or complications from gallstones, you may want to talk to your doctor about getting treatment. If you don’t, there is no actions required unless the stone or polyps is large requiring follow up.
Gallstones can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, indigestion, bloating and feeling full after eating small portions of food.
Causes of Gallstone
Most gallstones are made of cholesterol, which is produced when the liver manufactures bile to help digest fats.
Gallstones occur when the bile becomes too concentrated and forms solid deposits, often as a result of diet or lifestyle choices.
Gallstones are common among people over 40 years old, especially women.
- Get a test to check as soon as possible.
- Do not self medicate .
Risk Factors for Gallstone
Risk factors for gallstones include the following conditions; all of which can be treated with lifestyle changes such as diet modification and exercise.
- Obesity
- Diabetes mellitus (type 2)
- Metabolic syndrome or high cholesterol levels
Symptoms of Gallstone
Watch for these Symptoms
The most common symptoms of gallstones are:
- Pain in the upper right side of your abdomen that spreads to your back or shoulder
- Nausea and vomiting, with or without pain
- Jaundice, which is yellowing of the skin and eyes
- Tea Colour Urine
Diagnosis and Tests
Once you have symptoms suspected to be related to gallstone, It’s important to get a diagnosis as soon as possible, because gallstones can lead to complications. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. They may also do a physical exam and order blood tests.
A common test used to diagnose gallstones is called an ultrasound of the gallbladder. Ultrasounds use sound waves to create images of structures inside the body. This test can help determine whether you have stones in your gallbladder or other organs in your abdomen (the area between the chest and pelvis).
If necessary, they may also order an endoscopic ultrasound or MRI scan to confirm that you have gallstones.
Treatment of Gallstone
Surgery is the only way to get rid of gallstones. Gallstone removal is a minor procedure that takes about 40-60 minutes. The surgeon uses an instrument called a laparoscope, which has a small camera on one end and other tools at the other end.
A laparoscope is inserted through an incision in your abdomen to see if any stones are stuck in your bile ducts or have moved out of position.
If you have symptoms such as
- abdominal pain,
- fever and
- nausea,
you may need medication such as antibiotics before and after surgery to control infection from the gallbladder inflammation.
Gallstone Prevention
Preventing the formation of cholesterol gallstones requires dietary changes but may not necessarily work as the cause of gallstone formations is mostly unknown. In general, we would advise patient to
- Reduce dietary fat. High-fat diets increase the amount of saturated fats in bile and decrease bile acid excretion, which increases supersaturation with cholesterol and may promote stone formation.
- Lose weight if you are overweight or obese. Obese people are at greater risk for developing gallstones than those of normal weight because excess body fat increases the production and concentration of cholesterol in bile and decreases its flow through the intestine, aiding in stone formation.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine consumption, as both have been shown to affect your ability to digest fatty foods or absorb nutrients from food in general
Conclusion
Gallstones are common and don’t always need treatment.
If you have gallstones and symptoms, you should talk with your doctor about what the best course of action is for you.
