Condition
Gallstones: What Is It?
The gallbladder is an organ situated below the liver. It stores bile, the food-digesting liquid secreted by the liver. This liquid is flown through the bile duct into the small intestine to digest the food and fats. In some patients, small crystal-like objects are formed in the gallbladder. These are called gallstones. The gallstone can range in size from the size of a grain to that of a golf ball. Although some people may only have one gallstone, others may have several. When gallstones block the bile duct, it prevents the flow of bile. This blockage can cause discomfort and severe gallstone pain. Gallstone surgery is used to treat gallstones.
Gallstones : Causes
There are various reasons behind the formation of gallstones in the gallbladder. These include excess cholesterol or bilirubin in the bile juice stored in the gallbladder. Sometimes, the gallbladder may not empty the bile properly. The bile gets concentrated and results in the formation of gallstones.
Who is at Risk?
Risks
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Symptoms of Gallstones
Gallstones take time to show physical symptoms in the body. But, when a gallstone blocks the bile duct, it can result in the following gallstone symptoms: - There is severe pain in the upper right side of the abdomen - Sudden pain below the breastbone at the centre of the abdomen - Pain between the shoulder blades - Your right shoulder hurts - Nausea or vomiting Also, remember that gallstone pain usually lasts several minutes to a few hours.
How to Diagnose Gallstones?
The gallstones are diagnosed with the help of specific tests and procedures. Gallstone specialists use two tests commonly, which are: Abdominal ultrasound: In abdominal ultrasound, a transducer scans the stomach area. The transducer is probed back and forth to create signals. These signals are transformed into gallstone pictures by the computer. It is the most frequently used imaging test to diagnose gallstones. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS): A small, flexible tube called an endoscope is passed into the digestive tract through the mouth. A transducer present in the tube produces sound waves. These are converted into images. Gallstones are also detected using imaging tests such as an - Oral Cholecystography - Magnetic Resonance Cholangio Pancreatography (MRCP) - Computerized Tomography (CT) - Hepatobiliary Iminodiacetic Acid (HIDA) scan - Gallstones detected using Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio Pancreatography (ERCP) can also be removed during the assessment. Blood tests: A few blood tests can also be done to detect the complications of gallstones, including infection, gallstone pancreatitis, jaundice, etc.
What Is the Treatment for Gallstones?
The management of gallstones depends on their size, symptoms, and potential complications. Treatment options include: Watchful Waiting: If gallstones are small and asymptomatic, a "wait and see" approach might be recommended, focusing on managing risk factors through lifestyle changes. Medications: Certain medications can be prescribed to dissolve cholesterol gallstones over time. However, this process can be slow and may not be effective for everyone. Surgery - Cholecystectomy: The most common treatment for symptomatic gallstones is surgical removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy). This can be done through traditional open surgery or minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. Endoscopic Procedures: In some cases, endoscopic techniques such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) can be used to remove stones from the bile ducts. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL): This non-invasive procedure uses shock waves to break gallstones into smaller fragments that can be passed naturally or treated with other methods.
When Will The Doctor Suggest Surgery?
The doctor will recommend gallstone or gallbladder surgery when the gallbladder is severely swollen or infected. Two types of surgeries are commonly performed. These are laparoscopic surgery (laparoscopic cholecystectomy) and open surgery (open cholecystectomy).
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Frequently Asked Questions
In Mysore, open-surgery and laparoscopic gallstone surgery may cost between Rs. 75,000 and Rs. 1,50,000.
Patients can have both open and laparoscopic surgery with MediBuddy in Mysore. Depending on the grade or severity of the gallstones, the doctor may suggest the best method of surgery.
Gastroenterologists and general surgeons specialising in gastrointestinal surgery undertake gall stone surgery.
Oral medications and shock wave treatment are used to treat specific types of gallstones. However, a surgery of the gall bladder is recommended when the condition is very serious.
Yes, you can. With MediBuddy in Mysore, a free consultation with specialist doctors is possible.
At MediBuddy, there is a phenomenal 100% success rate of gallstone treatments.
After the procedure, the patient might have to stay in the hospital for around 3 days. It may take about a week for complete recovery.
