Treatment for Gallstones: Symptoms, Causes, Risks, and Options

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Treatment For Gallstones Symptoms, Causes,
Risks, and Options

• By Dr Valeria Simone MD
• (Southlake General Surgery, Texas, USA)

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OVERVIEW

• Treatment for gallstones usually depends on the
  severity of the symptoms and the overall health
  of the patient. Gallstones can be a painful and
  frustrating condition that affects millions of
  people worldwide.
• With the right knowledge, understanding, and
  treatment for gallstones options, you can take
  control of your gallbladder health and prevent
  the discomfort and complications caused by
  gallstones.
• In this comprehensive blog post, we will explore
  everything you need to know about gallstone
  disease, from understanding the causes and
  symptoms to various treatment options and
  preventative measures.

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Key Takeaways

• Gallstones are caused by obesity, elevated
  cholesterol, and estrogen levels, slow
  gallbladder emptying, and being female.
• Diagnosis involves various tests such as blood
  tests, ultrasounds, etc. Treatment may involve
  medications or surgery to remove the gallbladder.
• Prevention of Gallstones can be achieved through
  a healthy diet and exercise routine.

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Understanding Gallstones
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• Gallstones are small, solid formations that
  develop in the gallbladder as a result of
  imbalances in bile composition, typically caused
  by elevated cholesterol levels or metabolic
  conditions.
• They can lead to a gallbladder attack, which is
  characterized by severe abdominal pain, also
  known as biliary colic. The gallbladder is a
  small organ located beneath the liver, which
  stores bile produced by the liver and releases it
  into the small intestine to help digest food.
  Therefore, gallstones can significantly impact
  the gallbladder and bile systems, as well as the
  overall digestive system.
• The primary cause of gallstones is an abundance
  of cholesterol in the blood, which can lead to
  chemical disparities in bile and, ultimately,
  gallstone formation. Gallstones can cause acute
  cholecystitis, an inflammation of the
  gallbladder, that can result in severe pain and
  discomfort.
• To prevent gallstones, adhere to a nutritious
  diet, minimize your intake of fatty foods, and
  incorporate regular physical activity into your
  routine.

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Symptoms and Warning Signs
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• Gallstones can often go unnoticed, with no
  symptoms presenting themselves. However, when
  symptomatic gallstones occur, the primary symptom
  is pain in the digestive system, typically
  located in the right upper or middle abdomen,
  just below the rib cage.
• This pain can intensify within an hour and can
  last up to several hours, manifesting as either a
  sharp, knifelike sensation or a deep ache. In
  some cases, the pain may radiate to the back or
  the right shoulder, accompanied by nausea and
  vomiting.
• If you experience persistent abdominal pain,
  nausea, vomiting, and excessive sweating, these
  could be signs of acute inflammation caused by
  gallstones.
• To diagnose severe abdominal pain, seeking
  immediate medical advice is recommended, as
  prompt detection and treatment can ward off
  complications and ease symptoms. In severe and
  frequent cases, surgical removal of the
  gallbladder may be advised.

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Causes and Risk Factors
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• Apart from the imbalance in the chemical
  composition of bile, several risk factors can
  increase the likelihood of gallstone formation.
  These risk factors include
• Obesity
• Elevated cholesterol levels
• Elevated estrogen levels
• Slow gallbladder emptying
• Women are more predisposed to the condition.
• Obesity can increase the risk of gallstones, as
  bodies with a greater amount of fat generate more
  estrogen. Rapid weight loss can lead to an
  increased risk for a persons health. Very
  low-calorie diets can interfere with the
  production of bile, which in turn can cause
  cholesterol to crystallize..
• The increase in cholesterol in the bile due to
  estrogen, combined with progesterones effect of
  slowing the emptying of the gallbladder, may
  account for why the risk for women decreases with
  age relative to men.

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Diagnosing Gallstones
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• To diagnose gallstones, healthcare professionals
  typically utilize a variety of tests, including
• Blood tests
• Ultrasound scans
• MRI scans
• Cholangiography
• CT scans
• Doctors generally use an ultrasound scan to
  confirm gallstones. They perform this painless
  procedure by using a small handheld device called
  a transducer to emit high-frequency sound waves
  through the skin and into the body, which
  generates an image on a monitor.
• When diagnosing gallstones, the following tests
  may be conducted
• CT scan to assess any potential complications
  associated with gallstones, such as acute
  pancreatitis
• MRI scan to observe gallstones in the bile ducts
• Cholangiography a procedure that uses a dye to
  demonstrate any abnormality in the bile or
  pancreatic systems on X-ray images
• These tests are used during the diagnostic
  process.
• In some cases, Murphys sign test, which involves
  placing a hand or fingers on the upper-right area
  of the abdomen and asking the patient to inhale,
  may be performed to identify inflammation of the
  gallbladder.

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Non-Surgical Treatments for Gallstones
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• When considering non-surgical treatments for
  gallstones, medications such as ursodiol,
  extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), and
  endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
  (ERCP) are some of the options available.
• These treatments aim to dissolve or break down
  small cholesterol stones and remove them from the
  bile duct without the need for invasive surgery.

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Medications
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• Ursodiol (ursodeoxycholic acid) and
  chenodeoxycholic acid are two medications used to
  treat gallstones by dissolving small cholesterol
  stones over a period of months or years.
• Doctors use these medications to dissolve
  gallstones in patients who either choose not to
  or cannot undergo surgery to remove the
  gallstones. They act by breaking up small
  cholesterol stones, enabling them to pass through
  the bile duct.
• Notably, ursodiol may require several months to
  produce visible results and may not be suitable
  for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Therefore,
  seeking medical advice is vital to determine if
  medication is the right treatment for individual
  gallstone cases.

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Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)

• Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a
  non-surgical procedure utilized to break down
  small gallstones, using sound waves to break up
  the stones into smaller fragments that can be
  passed through the bile duct.
• This treatment for gallstones is applicable to
  patients who possess a functioning gallbladder
  and small stones. The intent of lithotripsy is to
  fragment gallstones into particles that can be
  more readily dissolved or are of a size that can
  be safely passed through the bile duct.
• ESWL is a non-invasive procedure that does not
  require anesthesia, making it an appealing
  alternative for patients who are not suitable
  candidates for surgery. Nonetheless, seeking
  medical advice is necessary to ascertain if ESWL
  is the most suitable treatment for your
  individual gallstone condition.

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Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography
(ERCP)

• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
  (ERCP) is a procedure utilized to extract
  gallstones from the bile duct. It necessitates
  the following steps
• Insertion of a thin tube equipped with a camera
  into the bile duct to identify and remove the
  stones.
• Widening the bile duct opening by means of a
  small incision or an electrically heated wire.
• Extracting the bile duct stones or allowing them
  to pass into the intestine and be eliminated from
  the body.
• The ERCP procedure usually takes 30 minutes.
  However, the duration of the procedure may vary
  and can be anywhere between 15 minutes to over an
  hour. After the procedure, you may be required to
  remain in the hospital for an overnight stay for
  monitoring purposes.
• Its imperative to seek medical guidance to
  decide if ERCP is the right treatment for your
  specific gallstone situation.

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Surgical Treatments for Gallstones
For cases where non-surgical treatments are not
suitable or effective, surgical treatments such
as laparoscopic cholecystectomy and open
cholecystectomy are available for gallstones.
These surgical options involve the removal of the
gallbladder to alleviate symptoms and prevent
further complications.
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Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

• Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, also known as
  laparoscopic gallbladder removal, is the most
  common surgical treatment for gallstones.
  Surgeons remove the gallbladder by inserting
  instruments through small incisions in the skin.
• This minimally invasive keyhole surgery entails
  opening the gallbladder, dilating the tract, and
  extracting any gallstones utilizing a device
  known as a cholecystoscope. Laparoscopic
  cholecystectomy is a popular choice among
  patients due to its shorter recovery period
  compared to open surgery.
• However, there is a possibility of inflicting
  damage to the bile ducts, including the common
  bile duct, during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
  If complications arise or if the patient has an
  unusual gallbladder, the surgeon may need to
  perform an open surgery with a larger incision as
  an alternative.
• Before undergoing a laparoscopic cholecystectomy,
  discussing potential risks and benefits with a
  medical expert is of utmost importance.

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Open Cholecystectomy

• Open cholecystectomy is a more invasive surgical
  option for gallstone removal. It involves the
  removal of the gallbladder through a 10-15cm
  incision in the abdomen. While open
  cholecystectomy is equally efficacious to
  laparoscopic surgery, it necessitates a longer
  recovery period and results in more conspicuous
  scarring.
• The recovery period for an open cholecystectomy
  is usually longer than that for a laparoscopic
  cholecystectomy, and the scarring is more
  evident.
• Prior to choosing open cholecystectomy,
  discussing potential risks and benefits with a
  medical professional is vital. Depending on the
  patients overall health and the specifics of
  their gallstone condition, laparoscopic
  cholecystectomy might be a more fitting choice in
  some instances.

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Complications and Consequences of Gallstones
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• If left untreated, gallstones can lead to various
  complications and consequences, including
  gallbladder disease. These complications can
  include
• Inflammation and infection of the gallbladder,
  which can cause abdominal pain, fever, nausea,
  and vomiting
• Jaundice, which results in yellowing of the skin
  and eyes due to a buildup of bilirubin in the
  blood
• Acute cholangitis, a condition characterized by
  the presence of an infection within the bile
  ducts, is a matter of concern that warrants
  attention.
• Acute pancreatitis, is characterized by the
  inflammatory response of the pancreas.
• Gallbladder cancer, which is a rare but serious
  complication
• Gallstone ileus, which is a blockage of the small
  intestine caused by a gallstone
• It is important to seek medical attention if you
  suspect you have gallstones to prevent these
  complications.

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• Fever, abdominal pain, and jaundice characterize
  acute cholangitis, which is a severe infection of
  the bile duct. Acute pancreatitis, an
  inflammation of the pancreas, manifests as
  abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever. In
  rare cases, gallstones can lead to gallbladder
  cancer, which presents symptoms similar to those
  of complicated gallstone disease, and gallstone
  ileus, which causes bowel obstruction.
• These complications can be severe and even
  life-threatening if not addressed promptly.
  Therefore, it is imperative to seek immediate
  medical aid if you suspect gallstones in order to
  avoid these complications and safeguard your
  general health.

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Preventing Gallstones
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• Prevention of gallstones is an essential aspect
  of maintaining gallbladder health. Here are some
  tips to help reduce the risk of gallstone
  formation
• Follow a healthy diet that includes ample fruits
  and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
• Gradually lose weight if needed, as rapid weight
  loss can increase the risk of gallstones.
• Engage in regular exercise to maintain a healthy
  weight and promote overall health.
• Avoid processed and sugary foods, as they can
  contribute to gallstone formation.
• By following these guidelines, you can help
  preserve a healthy gallbladder and reduce the
  risk of gallstones.
• Lets explore more Treatment for Gallstones
  Symptoms, Causes, Risks, and Options - Southlake
  General Surgery

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Appointment

• For more information, guidelines, and
  consultation on Treatment for gallstones or
  book an appointment with Dr Valeria Simone MD, at
  Southlake General Surgery, Texas, USA. Please
  contact our healthcare expert today
  at 1(817)748-0200. You can also make an online
  appointment with us.
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• Source Treatment for Gallstones Symptoms,
  Causes, Risks, and Options - Southlake General
  Surgery
• Medically Reviewed Dr. Valeria Simone MD,
• Board-certified General Surgeon at Southlake
  General Surgery, Texas, USA.

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1545 E. Southlake Blvd, Suite 270 Southlake, TX
76092
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VISIT US AT www.southlakegeneralsurgery.com