Gallstones, Gallbladder Stones – Symptoms, Causes, Complications

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Gallstones, Gallbladder Stones Symptoms, Causes,
Types, Complications Prevention
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• Gallbladder stones are hard deposits that form in
  the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small organ
  that sits below the liver and stores bile, a
  fluid that helps digest fats. Gallstones can be
  made of cholesterol, bilirubin, or a combination
  of both.
• What are the symptoms of gallbladder stones?
• Not everyone with gallbladder stones has
  symptoms. However, when symptoms do occur, they
  can include
• Upper right abdominal pain, often after eating
  fatty foods
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever and chills
• Pain in the back or shoulder
• Indigestion
• Bloating
• Gas

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• What are the causes of gallbladder stones?
• The exact gallbladder stones cause is unknown.
  However, there are certain factors that can
  increase your risk of developing them, such as
• Obesity
• Rapid weight loss
• Family history of gallbladder stones
• Certain medications, such as birth control pills
• Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and
  liver disease

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• How are gallbladder stones diagnosed?
• Your doctor can diagnose gallbladder stones by
  doing a physical exam and asking about your
  symptoms. They may also order one or more of the
  following tests
• Ultrasound This test uses sound waves to create
  images of the gallbladder and bile ducts.
• CT scan This test uses X-rays to create detailed
  images of the inside of your body.
• MRI This test uses a magnetic field and radio
  waves to create detailed images of the inside of
  your body.

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• How are gallbladder stones treated?
• The best treatment for gallbladder stones depends
  on the size and number of stones, your symptoms,
  and your overall health.
• Non-surgical treatment In some cases, your
  doctor may recommend non-surgical treatments,
  such as
• Medications to dissolve the stones. However,
  these medications are not always effective and
  can have side effects.
• Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL)
  This procedure uses sound waves to break up the
  stones into smaller pieces that can pass through
  the bile ducts.
• Surgical treatment If your symptoms are severe
  or if your stones are large, your doctor may
  recommend surgery to remove the gallbladder.
  There are two main types of surgery for
  gallbladder removal
• Laparoscopic cholecystectomy This minimally
  invasive surgery is performed through small
  incisions in the abdomen.
• Open cholecystectomy This more traditional
  surgery requires a larger incision in the abdomen.

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• Aftercare
• After surgery, you will need to stay in the
  hospital for a few days. You will also need to
  follow your doctor's instructions for taking care
  of yourself at home. This may include eating a
  bland diet and avoiding strenuous activity.
• Prevention
• There is no sure way to prevent gallbladder
  stones. However, there are some things you can do
  to reduce your risk, such as
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Eating a healthy diet
• Avoiding rapid weight loss
• If you are taking medications that increase your
  risk of gallstones, talk to your doctor about
  other options.
• If you have any of the symptoms of gallbladder
  stones, it is important to see a doctor right
  away. With prompt diagnosis and treatment, you
  can get relief from your symptoms and prevent
  complications.

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