Gallstones

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Gallstones

• By Erfu Wang,
• Kaesh Chowdhory,
• Jae Yoon Chung, and
• Jun Young Kang

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What are Gallstones?

• Gallstones (choleliths) are lumps of hard
  material (hardened liquid bile) that can range
  in size from a grain of sand to a golf ball.
• Gallstones can be formed anywhere within the
  biliary tract (the path by which bile is secreted
  by the liver on its way to the small intestine).
• (Caution Next slide contains graphic content.)

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Types of Gallstones and Causes - I

• Cholesterol Stones
• Usually yellow-green in color.
• Made primarily of hardened cholesterol.
• Accounts for 80 of gallstones.
• Usually formed when bile contains too much
  cholesterol, too much bilirubin,
  not enough
  bile salts,
  or when the
  gallbladder does not
  
  empty itself as it
  should.

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Types of Gallstones and Causes - II

• Pigment Stones
• Small, dark stones made of bilirubin.
• Tends to develop in people with cirrhosis,
  biliary tract infections, and hereditary blood
  disorders (such as sickle cell anaemia, when too
  much bilirubin is formed).

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Causes of Gallstones - Cont
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Causes of Gallstones - Cont

• Women between 20 and 60 years of age are twice as
  likely to develop gallstones as men.
• People over age 60 are twice as likely to develop
  gallstones than younger people.
• Drugs that lower cholesterol levels in blood
  actually increase the amount of cholesterol
  secreted in bile, which can increase the risk of
  gallstones.
• People with diabetes generally have high levels
  of fatty acids called triglycerides, which
  increase the risk of gallstones.

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Spotting the Symptoms

• The symptoms of gallstones usually occurs
  suddenly, and can be in the form of
• Steady pain in the upper abdomen that increases
  rapidly and can last up to hours.
• Pain in the back between the shoulder blades.
• Pain under the right shoulder.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Abdominal bloating.
• Recurring intolerance of fatty foods.
• Belching.
• Gas.
• Indigestion.

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Dangers of Gallstones

• Because gallstones can be formed anywhere within
  the biliary tree, there are many places where it
  can interfere with our system.
• The obstruction of the common bile duct is
  choledocholithiasis.
• Obstruction of the outlet of the pancreatic
  exocrine system can cause pancreatitis.
• Obstruction of the biliary tree can cause
  jaundice.

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The Anti-Gallstones Drink(s)

• Studies has shown that men and women who drinks
  five or more cups of coffee a day has a reduced
  risk of developing gallstones.
• Studies has also shown that consuming two units
  of alcohol a day cuts the chance of developing
  gallstones by a third.
• Moderate alcohol below recommended limits is
  associated with good health.
• Professor Chris Hawkey, British Society of
  Gastroenterology

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Treatment by Surgery

• There are many ways to remove gallstones. The
  most commonly used method nowadays is removal
  via. laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
• Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is when the
  gallbladder is surgically removed through a tiny
  incision at the navel.
• There is no incision pain that usually
  accompanies a standard abdominal surgery, and the
  patient will be able to return home on the very
  same day of if not, the day after the surgery.
• There is also no scarring on the abdomen, since
  the cuts made are very small.

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Bibliography

• Miller, Julie. Gallstones. Parkville Surgery
  Patient Info. lthttp//www.parkvillesurgery.com.au/
  gallstones_condition.htmlgt
• Rodgers, Griffin. Dieting and Gallstones.
  National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and
  Kidney Diseases. lthttp//win.niddk.nih.gov/public
  ations/gallstones.htm gt
• Aldridge, Susan. Coffee reduces gallstone risk.
  Health and Age. lthttp//www.healthandage.com/Coffe
  e-reduces-gallstone-riskgt
• Anonymous. Alcohol reduces gallstone risk. BBC
  News. lthttp//news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8073844.s
  tmgt