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Gall Bladder Stone
A gallstone is a stone formed within the gallbladder from bile components. The term cholelithiasis may refer to the presence of gallstones or to the diseases caused by gallstones. Most people with gallstones (about 80%) never have symptoms. When a gallstone blocks the bile duct, a crampy pain in the right upper part of the abdomen, known as biliary colic (gallbladder attack) can result.This happens in 4–5% of those with gallstones each year. Complications of gallstones may include inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis), inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), jaundice, and infection of bile duct (cholangitis). Symptoms of these complications may include severe pain in abdomen, fever, yellowish skin, vomiting, dark urine, and pale stools.
There are two types of gallstones:
Cholesterol Stones: These stones make up majority of all gallstones. They form when there is too much cholesterol in the bile.
Pigment stones: They form when there is excess bilirubin in the bile.
The most common symptom is a pain in the right upper part of the abdomen.
It occurs frequently at night and may awaken the person from sleep.
The pain is usually severe and constant, and can last from one to five hours.
The pain usually starts within 30 minutes after a fatty or greasy meal and it may radiate to the right shoulder or back.
Excessive cholesterol in bile (Diet, dyslipidemia, drugs including oral contraceptives & fibrates, obesity)
Rapid weight loss (esp. following bariatric surgery)
Decreased contractility of gallbladder
Blood disorders (Haemolytic Anaemias), genetics and ethnicity.
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy is gold standard treatment for gall stones
It is a key hole surgery where gall bladder is removed from three or four small holes.
Medical treatment
Dissolving stones Drugs made from bile acids are used to dissolve the gallstones.
They are usually offered only to people who are unfit for surgery.
These drugs work best for cholesterol stones.
It may take months or even years for the gallstones to dissolve.
It has a significantly high rate of recurrence.
Frequently Asked Question
If gallstones lodge in a bile duct and cause a blockage, it eventually results in severe life-threatening complications such as bile duct inflammation and infection, pancreatitis or cholecystitis (an inflammation of gallbladder). In addition, if left untreated, it might increase risk of “gallbladder cancer”.
This is a painless test that uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the gallbladder and to see if stones are present.
However, since gallstones often do not cause symptoms, it is possible symptoms may be a result of another condition and a doctor may order other tests to determine the cause of your symptoms.
Natural Ways to Dissolve Gallstones: A very effective way to dissolve gallstones naturally is by staying hydrated. Drinking at least six to eight glasses of water per day helps in keeping the bile production smooth.
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