What are Gallstones and what are the treatment options?

What are Gallstones?

 

Gallstones (commonly misspelled gall stones or gall stone) are solid particles that form from bile cholesterol and bilirubin in the gallbladder.

The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped saclike organ in the upper right part of the abdomen. It is located under the liver, just below the front rib cage on the right side. The gallbladder is part of the biliary system, which includes the liver and the pancreas. The biliary system, among other functions, transports bile (Bile is a fluid made by the liver to help in the digestion of fats) and digestive enzymes.

Gallstones are made up of hardened materials in your body. Typically, there are two types:

• Cholesterol: Made up of fatty substances in the blood, cholesterol is found throughout the body. These are the most common type of gallstones.


• Pigment Stones (mainly made of bilirubin): This substance is created when red blood cells break down in the liver. Too much bilirubin can actually leak into the bloodstream and cause the skin and eyes to turn yellow (jaundice).

 

Causes

Gallstones are more common in women than in men. They are also more common in overweight people and people with a family history of gallstones.

There is no single cause of gallstones. In some people, the liver produces too much cholesterol. This can result in the formation of cholesterol crystals in bile that grow into stones. In other people, gallstones form because of changes in other components of bile or because the gallbladder does not empty normally.

 

 

Symptoms

The majority of people with gallstones have no signs or symptoms and are unaware of their gallstones. (The gallstones are "silent.") These gallstones often are found as a result of tests (for example, ultrasound, or X-rays of the abdomen) performed while evaluating medical conditions other than gallstones. Symptoms can appear later in life, however, after many years without symptoms. Thus, over a period of five years, approximately 10% of people with silent gallstones will develop symptoms. Once symptoms develop, they are likely to continue and often will worsen.

When symptoms are present, they include:

• pain in the upper right abdomen


• pain in the right shoulder or between the shoulder blades


• nausea


• gray stool


• diarrhea


• vomiting

 

Treatment

Most people with gallstones that don't cause symptoms will never need treatment. Your doctor will determine if treatment for gallstones is indicated based on your symptoms and the results of diagnostic testing. Your doctor may recommend that you be alert for symptoms of gallstone complications, such as intensifying pain in your upper right abdomen. If gallstone signs and symptoms occur in the future, you can have treatment.

Treatment options for gallstones include:

Surgery to remove the gallbladder (cholecystectomy). Your doctor may recommend surgery to remove your gallbladder, since gallstones frequently recur. Once your gallbladder is removed, bile flows directly from your liver into your small intestine, rather than being stored in your gallbladder. You don't need your gallbladder to live, and gallbladder removal doesn't affect your ability to digest food, but it can cause diarrhea, which is usually temporary.

Medications to dissolve gallstones. Medications you take by mouth may help dissolve gallstones. But it may take months or years of treatment to dissolve your gallstones in this way, and gallstones will likely form again if treatment is stopped. Sometimes medications don't work. Medications for gallstones aren't commonly used and are reserved for people who can't undergo surgery.

 

Can you prevent it?

 

There are certain things that you can do or things that you can avoid to prevent gallstones. People who eat more fruits and vegetables are less likely to have their gallbladders removed than the ones who eat very little fresh produce, according to a study. Also, other sources of fiber such as the psyllium husks mentioned earlier may be beneficial for the gallbladder.

Foods that may cause gallbladder problems include:

• high-fat foods


• eggs


• sugar


• Weight management

What can you do?

• Reduce your intake of fats and choose low-fat foods whenever possible. Avoid high-fat, greasy, and fried foods.


• Add fiber to your diet to make your bowel movements more solid. Try to add only a serving of fiber at a time to prevent gas that can occur from eating excess fiber.


• Avoid foods and drinks known to cause diarrhea, including caffeinated drinks, high-fat dairy products, and very sweet foods.


• Eat several small meals per day. Smaller meals are easier for the body to digest.


• Drink a sufficient amount of water. This is about 6 to 8 glasses per day.