Gallstones are hardened deposits of digestive juice in the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located on the right side of the abdomen just below the liver. The gallbladder collects bile, a digestive fluid that is released into the small intestine. Gallstones can vary in size from a grain of sand to a golf ball. In some cases only one gallstone may form; in other cases, multiple gallstones may form at the same time.
If the following signs and symptoms of serious cholelithiasis occur, medical attention should be sought immediately:
The exact cause of gallstones is unknown, but doctors believe gallstones may form for the following reasons:
Bile contains a lot of cholesterol and enough chemicals to break down the cholesterol secreted by the liver, but if the liver secretes more cholesterol than it needs, the excess cholesterol can crystallize and eventually form gallstones.
The gallbladder is not emptying properly - if the gallbladder is not emptying completely or sufficiently, the bile may become too concentrated which contributes to the formation of gallstones.
Cholesterol gallstones are the most common type of gallstone, called cholesterol gallstones, often yellow in color. Such gallstones consist mainly of undissolved cholesterol, but may also contain other components. Pigmented gallstones-these dark brown or black stones form when there is too much bilirubin in the bile.
Gallbladder inflammation (cholelithiasis ) - cholecystitis can cause intense pain and fever.
A blockage in the common bile duct. Gallstones can cause blockages in the ducts that carry bile from the gallbladder or liver to the small intestine. Intense pain, jaundice and infection of the bile ducts may occur. Gallstones can cause blockage of the pancreatic duct, which in turn can cause pancreatic inflammation (pancreatitis). Pancreatitis is characterized by severe persistent pain in the abdomen and often requires hospitalization.
You can reduce your risk of gallstones by trying to maintain a healthy weight, eating right and exercising. Include more fiber-rich foods in your diet, such as fruit, vegetables and whole grains.
Treatment for gallstones is surgical only. There are both open and laparoscopic methods. Cholecystectomy is an open method of opening the abdomen (laparotomy), which is traumatic for the body. And with the modern laparoscopic cholecystectomy method (bloodless operation), there are only four 0.5 and 1 cm incisions in the anterior abdominal wall.
What is a gallstone?
Gallstones are hardened deposits of digestive juice in the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located in the right side of the abdomen just below the liver. The gallbladder collects bile, a digestive fluid that is released into the small intestine.
Gallstones can vary in size from a grain of sand to a golf ball. In some cases only one gallstone may form; in other cases multiple gallstones may form at the same time.
Gallstone disease is common. Surgery to remove the gallbladder is usually required when symptoms associated with gallstones appear.. As a rule, gallstones that do not cause any signs or symptoms still require surgical treatment to prevent complications such as acute pancreatitis and cholangitis.
Gallbladders - Symptoms
If a gallstone is in a duct it may cause the following symptoms:
Sudden and rapidly increasing pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen.
Sudden and rapidly increasing pain in the center of the abdomen, just below the sternum
Back pain between the shoulder blades
Pain in the right shoulder
Nausea or vomiting
Pain caused by gallstones may last from a few minutes to several hours.
Conditions to see a doctor
If the following signs and symptoms of serious cholelithiasis occur, medical attention should be sought immediately:
Pain in the abdominal area is so intense that it is impossible to sit comfortably and impossible to find a comfortable position
Yellow coloring of the skin and whites of the eyes
Fever and chills
Gallstones - causes
The exact cause of gallstones is unknown, but doctors believe gallstones may form for the following reasons:
Bile contains a lot of cholesterol and enough chemicals to break down the cholesterol secreted by the liver, but if the liver secretes more cholesterol than it needs, the excess cholesterol can crystallize and eventually form gallstones.
There is too much bilirubin in the bile - bilirubin is a chemical produced when red blood cells break down. In some illnesses the liver produces too much bilirubin (cirrhosis, biliary tract infections and some blood diseases). Excess bilirubin promotes the formation of gallstones.
The gallbladder is not emptying properly - if the gallbladder is not emptying completely or sufficiently, the bile may become too concentrated which contributes to the formation of gallstones.
Types of gallstones
Cholesterol gallstones are the most common type of gallstone, called cholesterol gallstones, often yellow in color. Such gallstones consist mainly of undissolved cholesterol, but may also contain other components.
Pigmented gallstones-these dark brown or black stones form when there is too much bilirubin in the bile.
Risk factors
Factors that may increase the risk of developing gallstones include:
- Age 40 and over
- Being overweight or obese
- Frequent sitting in a sedentary position
- Pregnancy
- Eating a diet high in fats
- A high cholesterol diet
- A low-fiber diet
- Genetics
- Diabetes
- Certain blood diseases such as sickle cell anemia or leukemia
- Losing too much weight too quickly
- Taking medication that contains estrogen, such as oral contraceptives or hormone therapy
- Liver disease
Complications
Complications of gallbladder disease include:
Gallbladder inflammation (cholelithiasis ) - cholecystitis can cause intense pain and fever.
A blockage in the common bile duct. Gallstones can cause blockages in the ducts that carry bile from the gallbladder or liver to the small intestine. Intense pain, jaundice and infection of the bile ducts may occur.
Gallstones can cause blockage of the pancreatic duct, which in turn can cause pancreatic inflammation (pancreatitis). Pancreatitis is characterized by severe persistent pain in the abdomen and often requires hospitalization.
Prevention
You can reduce your risk of gallstones by trying to maintain a healthy weight, eating right and exercising. Include more fiber-rich foods in your diet, such as fruit, vegetables and whole grains.
How are gallstones treated?
Treatment for gallstones is surgical only. There are both open and laparoscopic methods. Cholecystectomy is an open method of opening the abdomen (laparotomy), which is traumatic for the body. And with the modern laparoscopic cholecystectomy method (bloodless operation), there are only four 0.5 and 1 cm incisions in the anterior abdominal wall.
If there is a neglected case and the stone has migrated from the gallbladder into the common bile duct, endoscopic papillosphincterotomy with removal of the stone and then laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the first choice.
Modern endoscopy and laparoscopy techniques ensure the preservation of the body, which means a minimal risk of complications, less trauma, and rapid rehabilitation with a high degree of recovery.
New Hospitals' general and thoracic surgery team is ready to perform operations of any complexity 24 hours a day. New Hospitals successfully performs highly complex emergency, open and laparoscopic surgeries. To book a visit, contact us: 2 190 190
Gallstones
What is a gallstone?
Gallstones are hardened deposits of digestive juice in the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located in the right side of the abdomen just below the liver. The gallbladder collects bile, a digestive fluid that is released into the small intestine.
Gallstones can vary in size from a grain of sand to a golf ball. In some cases only one gallstone may form; in other cases multiple gallstones may form at the same time.
Gallstone disease is common. Surgery to remove the gallbladder is usually required when symptoms associated with gallstones appear.. As a rule, gallstones that do not cause any signs or symptoms still require surgical treatment to prevent complications such as acute pancreatitis and cholangitis.
Gallbladders - Symptoms
If a gallstone is in a duct it may cause the following symptoms:
Sudden and rapidly increasing pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen.
Sudden and rapidly increasing pain in the center of the abdomen, just below the sternum
Back pain between the shoulder blades
Pain in the right shoulder
Nausea or vomiting
Pain caused by gallstones may last from a few minutes to several hours.
Conditions to see a doctor
If the following signs and symptoms of serious cholelithiasis occur, medical attention should be sought immediately:
Pain in the abdominal area is so intense that it is impossible to sit comfortably and impossible to find a comfortable position
Yellow coloring of the skin and whites of the eyes
Fever and chills
Gallstones - causes
The exact cause of gallstones is unknown, but doctors believe gallstones may form for the following reasons:
Bile contains a lot of cholesterol and enough chemicals to break down the cholesterol secreted by the liver, but if the liver secretes more cholesterol than it needs, the excess cholesterol can crystallize and eventually form gallstones.
There is too much bilirubin in the bile - bilirubin is a chemical produced when red blood cells break down. In some illnesses the liver produces too much bilirubin (cirrhosis, biliary tract infections and some blood diseases). Excess bilirubin promotes the formation of gallstones.
The gallbladder is not emptying properly - if the gallbladder is not emptying completely or sufficiently, the bile may become too concentrated which contributes to the formation of gallstones.
Types of gallstones
Cholesterol gallstones are the most common type of gallstone, called cholesterol gallstones, often yellow in color. Such gallstones consist mainly of undissolved cholesterol, but may also contain other components.
Pigmented gallstones-these dark brown or black stones form when there is too much bilirubin in the bile.
Risk factors
Factors that may increase the risk of developing gallstones include:
- Age 40 and over
- Being overweight or obese
- Frequent sitting in a sedentary position
- Pregnancy
- Eating a diet high in fats
- A high cholesterol diet
- A low-fiber diet
- Genetics
- Diabetes
- Certain blood diseases such as sickle cell anemia or leukemia
- Losing too much weight too quickly
- Taking medication that contains estrogen, such as oral contraceptives or hormone therapy
- Liver disease
Complications
Complications of gallbladder disease include:
Gallbladder inflammation (cholelithiasis ) - cholecystitis can cause intense pain and fever.
A blockage in the common bile duct. Gallstones can cause blockages in the ducts that carry bile from the gallbladder or liver to the small intestine. Intense pain, jaundice and infection of the bile ducts may occur.
Gallstones can cause blockage of the pancreatic duct, which in turn can cause pancreatic inflammation (pancreatitis). Pancreatitis is characterized by severe persistent pain in the abdomen and often requires hospitalization.
Prevention
You can reduce your risk of gallstones by trying to maintain a healthy weight, eating right and exercising. Include more fiber-rich foods in your diet, such as fruit, vegetables and whole grains.
How are gallstones treated?
Treatment for gallstones is surgical only. There are both open and laparoscopic methods. Cholecystectomy is an open method of opening the abdomen (laparotomy), which is traumatic for the body. And with the modern laparoscopic cholecystectomy method (bloodless operation), there are only four 0.5 and 1 cm incisions in the anterior abdominal wall.
If there is a neglected case and the stone has migrated from the gallbladder into the common bile duct, endoscopic papillosphincterotomy with removal of the stone and then laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the first choice.
Modern endoscopy and laparoscopy techniques ensure the preservation of the body, which means a minimal risk of complications, less trauma, and rapid rehabilitation with a high degree of recovery.
New Hospitals' general and thoracic surgery team is ready to perform operations of any complexity 24 hours a day. New Hospitals successfully performs highly complex emergency, open and laparoscopic surgeries. To book a visit, contact us: 2 190 190
