Verified By Apollo Hospitals October 1, 2024
The gallbladder is a small-sized organ located in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, below the liver. Its main function is to store bile juice that assists digestion. Gallbladder stones is a medical condition wherein hardened deposits of cholesterol and bilirubin develop and sometimes get lodged in the gallbladder or bile ducts. The size of these stones may vary from the size of a golf ball to a grain of rice. Many stones may develop simultaneously. These stones can leave the gallbladder and get stuck along the way.
This is when a person may feel the first instance of abdominal pain and discomfort. Interestingly, large-sized gallbladder stones usually stay in the gallbladder and do not cause any discomfort. Depending on the size and discomfort caused, these stones can be removed surgically or via symptomatic care.
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Depending on its composition, there are mainly two variants of gallbladder stones.
These are the most common types. They account for almost 80% of all gallbladder stones. These stones are generally greenish-yellow in colour, constitute cholesterol and lipid-protein, and contain other components.
These are generally smaller in size and black or brown. These stones are formed due to the excess amount of bilirubin in the bile. Bilirubin is the byproduct of destroyed and fragmented red blood cells. This yellow coloured substance passes through the liver into the gallbladder and is then excreted.
Usually, gallbladder stones do not exhibit any symptoms. However, if these stones lodge in the bile duct, it might lead to :
Gallbladder stones may not show any signs or symptoms always. However, immediate medical help is required if constant, searing abdominal pain, nausea, and fever develop. Make a note of the symptoms and medical history. Gallbladder stones pain may last for several hours to a few minutes. If severe symptoms and inflammation like these mentioned below occur, it is advisable to seek professional help immediately.
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Researchers have not yet found the exact reason why gallbladder stones occur. These stones might be caused by:
Several factors might put a person at risk of developing gallbladder stones. A few of them are:
Several complications may occur due to the formation of gallbladder stones. The most common ones are:
The doctor might perform the following diagnostic tests:
What are the treatment procedures for gallbladder stones?
Today, there are numerous treatments for gallbladder stones. The doctor might likely remove the gallbladder through surgical processes.. The removal of the gallbladder does not hinder the digestion process. The following are some of the surgical procedures used.
Medications to dissolve gallstones: Medicines may help dissolve gallstones without surgery. However, in this way, it may take months or years of treatment to dissolve the gallstones. In addition, there are chances of the formation of gallstones again if treatment is stopped.
Medications for gallstones are not used commonly and are reserved for those who cannot undergo a surgery. Ursodiol and chenodiol may be used to dissolve cholesterol stones. They can cause mild diarrhea.
Shock wave therapy is another non-surgical technique, that uses high-frequency sound waves to break/fragment the stones. Afterwards, bile salt is administered to dissolve small ston pieces. This therapy is used rarely.
Doctors may also try to remove gallstones during an ERCP test. During this procedure, the physician inserts an instrument through the endoscope to attempt removing the stone.
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Since lifestyle is a significant contributor to gallbladder stones, a few preventive measures can be practised to lower the risk.
Gallbladder stones are usually harmless and dissolve on their own. But, they may pose to be life-threatening if these stones block any duct or cause an infection. Hence, it is worthwhile to take preventive measures. Avoid processed food; instead, consume more fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, and nuts. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle reduces the chance of acquiring many diseases.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Although a vast majority have gallbladder stones , symptoms or signs may not always occur. If, however, symptoms occur, seek medical help immediately.
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However, if one has undergone surgery, it might take up to a week of hospitalization, depending on the severity. Further, to resume daily work, it might take up to four to six weeks.
Yes, it does. Drinking adequate amounts of water helps the gallbladder and prevents the build-up of bile. This, in turn, prevents the formation of gallbladder stones.
It is possible to live normally without the gallbladder. When your gallbladder is removed, bile flows directly from your liver into the small intestine, and this may sometimes cause diarrhoea. As bile does not accumulate in the gallbladder, the quantities of digestive fluid can’t be stored up and used to break down a meal, especially a fatty meal. But, this condition is not considered serious and can be corrected by simply limiting fat in the diet.
There is a high probability that the gallbladder stones might recur. It is advisable to consume a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and increase water intake if one has suffered from gallbladder stones. Surgical intervention, however, makes sure that it does not recur in the future.
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