Overview
Gall bladder stones, also termed as cholelithiasis, are hardened deposits of bilirubin, cholesterol, and bile that form in the gall bladder. Stones can vary in size and number, they can be as samll as grain of sand or as large as golf ball. Gall bladder stones are common and may or may not cause any symptoms. People who experience symptoms usually require gall bladder removal surgery.
What are Gallstones?
The gall bladder is one of the organs in the body that helps in the digestion process. It is a tiny pouch-like organ situated under the liver, and stores bile – to aid the digestive process – fluids, fat, and cholesterol. Gall bladder stones refer to a widely-known medical condition affecting gall bladder when there are hardened deposits of excessive amounts of cholesterol, bile salts, or bilirubin.
One thing to note about gallstones is that many people who have it are not even aware of their condition. The problem becomes noticeable only when it begins to create other health problems like pain, inflammation, or infection. Hence, it is crucial to keep a check on your health always and seek medical attention when required without any delay.
In this article, we shall discuss the causes and symptoms of gallstones and the right medical care for treating this condition.
What are Gallstone Symptoms?
Gallstones are also known as “silent stones” and many people with gallstones don’t experience any symptoms. However, if the symptoms occur, it may include:
- Sweating
- Fever
- Faster heart rate
- Abdominal swelling and tenderness.
- Pain in the upper right or middle of the abdominal region that can be constant, sharp or dull.
- Nausea and vomiting which can lead to loss of appetite and unintended weight loss.
- Pain in the back between the shoulder blades or only in the right shoulder
- Yellow tint in your skin and eyes.
- Dark colored pee and light colored poop.
- Other symptoms include fever, chills, diarrhea, heatburn and bloating.
What areas are affected by gallbladder stone pain?
Gallbladder stone pain can affect the following areas:
- Upper right abdomen: People with gallbladder stones may experience steady, gripping, or gnawing pain that can be severe.The pain can radiate to the upper back.
- Upper back: The pain can spread between the shoulder blades.
- Right shoulder: Few people may suffer from pain in the right shoulder.
What causes Gallbladder Stones?
Gallstones form when there's an imbalance in the chemical composition of bile in the gallbladder. This can be caused by:
High Bilirubin
Bilirubin is a waste product created when the body breaks down red blood cells. Certain conditions, such as liver cirrhosis, biliary tract infections, and some blood disorders, can cause the liver to produce too much bilirubin.
High Cholesterol
The liver normally excretes enough chemicals to dissolve cholesterol, but if it excretes more than the bile can dissolve, the excess cholesterol can crystallize and form stones.
Gallbladder Doesn't Empty Properly
If the gallbladder doesn't empty completely or often enough, bile can become very concentrated, which can contribute to gallstones.
Also read : What Are Kidney Stones and How Are They Formed?
What are Risk Factors for Gallstone (Cholelithiasis)?
In the majority of the cases, excess cholesterol in the bile produced by the liver can result in gallstones that are yellowish in colour. In other cases, brown-coloured gallstones are formed from a chemical known as calcium bilirubinate.
The risk factors for gall bladder stones include:
- Obesity
- Eating high-cholesterol foods
- Low amounts of fibre in the diet
- Diabetes mellitus
- Drastic weight loss
- Family medical history
- Ageing
- Pregnancy
- Certain medications
Gall Bladder Stone Treatment Options
A medical professional can identify if a person has gall bladder stones, with the help of a physical examination and diagnostic tests like ultrasound, blood tests, and abdominal CT scan. Gallstones usually do not require any major treatment unless they start to cause pain and discomfort. In some cases, medication may become necessary. However, for a majority of patients, simple lifestyle changes prove to be the ideal solution for curing the condition. That includes:
- Managing a healthy weight
- Treating obesity with gradual weight loss techniques
- Adopting a healthy diet containing anti-inflammatory foods
- Going for exercises regularly
- Adding nutritional supplements like Vitamin C and Iron
Herbal remedies, as recommended in some alternative treatments, work best in treating such health conditions. For instance, citrus fruits, lemon juice and olive oil are known to cleanse the gallbladder.
For some individuals, doctors may recommend laparoscopic surgery for surgical removal of the gallbladder. This procedure for gallstones treatment is called Cholecystectomy.
Gall Bladder Stone Treatment Without Surgery
Nonsurgical treatments for gallstones are typically only used in special situations, such as when surgery is not an option due to a serious medical condition. These treatments include:
Oral dissolution therapy: This involves taking medications that contain bile acids to break up gallstones. Ursodiol (Actigall) and chenodiol (Chenix) are examples of these medications. This treatment is best for small cholesterol stones and can take months or years to work. Side effects are usually mild, but include nausea, vomiting, and itchy skin.
Shock wave lithotripsy: This procedure uses high-frequency sound waves to break gallstones into smaller pieces. It is rarely used for gallstones, but may be combined with oral dissolution therapy.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): This procedure involves passing a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end down the throat and into the small intestine. A doctor can then use tools to remove small gallstones.
Methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE): This therapy involves injecting an MTBE solvent into the gallbladder to dissolve the gallstones. However, research suggests this therapy can cause serious adverse events, such as severe burning pain.
Gallstones are likely to return after medical treatment, so you may need to be regularly treated for a long time or even for the rest of your life.
How To Prevent Gallstones?
There's no sure way to prevent gallstones, but you can reduce your risk by taking certain steps. These include:
- Eating a healthy diet: Eat a balanced diet that includes lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats like fish oil and olive oil. You can also try eating nuts like peanuts or cashews.
- Maintaining a healthy weight: Obesity and being overweight increase the risk of gallstones. If you need to lose weight, try to do so slowly, at a rate of 1–2 pounds per week.
- Avoiding unhealthy fats: Avoid unhealthy fats found in fried foods, desserts, and animal fats like butter.
- Avoiding weight cycling: Losing and regaining weight repeatedly can increase your risk of developing gallstones.
- Exercising regularly: Research has shown that exercise can help prevent gallstones.
- Drinking water: Water can help detoxify impurities that affect your gallbladder.
- Avoiding skipping meals: Skipping meals or fasting can increase your risk of gallstones.
Manage Gallstones Surgery Costs with Health Insurance
Having to undergo surgery can make one anxious. Yet, it is a solution that will help you return to a healthier life once again. It also involves a lot of financial planning, considering the surgery costs, follow-up visits, etc. In India, the cost of surgery for gall bladder removal can cost you anywhere between Rs 60,000 to Rs 2 Lakh.
It is challenging to deal with medical expenses without any financial back-up. Hence, a health insurance policy becomes the need of the hour, as it protects you in times of a medical emergency. More importantly, it offers the facility of cashless medical treatment, so you do not have to face any hassle when undergoing surgery.
Take a step to good health by opting for a health cover by Care Health Insurance. It’s a comprehensive cover that offers wide coverage for different treatments. Make sure you read the policy documents to know the waiting period and other details for a hassle-free claim settlement.
Also read :How to Lower SGPT & SGOT Level in Liver Just 7 Days?
Disclaimer: The information given in this article is only for reference purposes. Underwriting of claims for Gall Bladder Stone is subject to policy terms and conditions.
Home
Diseases
