Gallstones
Gallstones form when substances in bile (such as cholesterol or bilirubin) become imbalanced and crystallize, creating solid particles in the gallbladder. There are two main types of gallstones: cholesterol stones and pigment stones — most common being cholesterol stones, which are not directly linked to abnormal lipid profiles.
What Causes Gallstones?
1. Excess cholesterol in bile:
If the liver secretes more cholesterol than bile can dissolve, excess cholesterol can form crystals and eventually stones.
2. Excess bilirubin:
Conditions like liver cirrhosis, biliary tract infections, or hemolytic anemia can cause the liver to produce too much bilirubin.
3. Incomplete emptying of the gallbladder:
If the gallbladder doesn't empty completely or often enough, bile becomes concentrated and stones can form.
What Are the Risk Factors?
Risk Factors: Obesity, rapid weight loss, pregnancy, gender (more common in women), age, diabetes, cirrhosis, and certain blood disorders.
Common Symptoms
- Pain in the upper right abdomen (biliary colic), especially radiating to the back
- Nausea and vomiting
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes, if bile flow is blocked due to a stone in the common bile duct)
- Fever and chills (if infection occurs)
What Treatment Options Are Available?
- Medications: Medications and alternative therapies have very limited role.
- Surgical Treatment:
- Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal): The most common treatment for symptomatic gallstones. It is minimally invasive and removing the gallbladder is the definitive solution.
- ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography): Used to remove stones from the bile ducts.
- Fever and chills (if infection occurs)
Before deciding on surgery, a careful medical history and assessment is important to rule out concomitant diseases and ensure safe surgical outcomes.