What Problems do Gallstones Cause? Gallstones - Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

November 12, 2021 / Published by : Dr.T. Lakshmikanth

What are stones in the gallbladder?

The gallbladder is a pouch-like organ located in the upper right abdomen, below the liver. It stores bile, a liquid that helps with digestion. gallbladder stone treatment Issues with gallbladder stones develop when a gallstone blocks the bile duct. Gallstones are formed when substances that are found in bile, such as cholesterol, harden. The formation of gallstones is often seen and they are to a large extent, asymptomatic. However, around 10% of people who are diagnosed with gallstones will develop symptoms within 5 years.

What are the symptoms of gallstones?

Causes:

Gallstones cause pain in the upper right abdomen or the center of the stomach. One may experience pain after eating foods that are high in fat like fried food or junk food. However, the pain can occur at almost any time. Dr.T. Lakshmikanth Gallbladder specialist Though the pain caused by gallstones usually lasts for only a few hours, it can be intense and sometimes intolerable. The symptoms may include the following

   Pain in the upper abdomen

  Attack following a Fatty meal

  Pain in the back between shoulder blades

  Nausea and Vomiting

  Abdominal bloating, belching and indigestion

   Sometimes High fever with chills

  Yellowing of the skin and eyes (Jaundice)

  Itchy skin and Loss of appetite

  Loss of appetite

  Chills

  Diarrhea

It must be kept in mind that gallstones themselves do not cause pain. Pain occurs when gallstones block the movement of bile from the gallbladder stone.

What are the probable causes of gallstones?

While we do not yet know the precise reason for gallstones, the following are a few probable reasons.

1. Excess Cholesterol in bile
Too much cholesterol in the bile can lead to yellow stones. These stones develop when the liver synthesizes excess cholesterol.

2. Excess bilirubin in bile
During certain conditions, the liver processes too much bilirubin. When the gallbladder cannot break down this excess bilirubin, pigmented gallstones, which are dark brown or black, are formed.

3. Concentrated bile
The gallbladder has to empty its bile frequently to function properly. When this doesn’t happen for any kind of reason, the best gallbladder bile becomes highly concentrated leading to gallstones.

What are the treatment options for gallstones?

Most of the time, no treatment is the best treatment for gallstones. However, when they cause pain, your doctor may recommend removal of the gallbladder, which in the world of medicine is called a cholecystectomy. Since the gallbladder is not effectively functioning and causing side effects, it is necessary to remove it to lead a healthy life.

There are two types of cholecystectomy.

1. Open Cholecystectomy: This type of surgery, which is generally considered in complicated conditions, when the gallbladder is inflamed, infected, or scarred. Dr. Lakshmikanth is a gallbladder stone surgery specialist in Hyderabad It generally entails a longer hospital stay and there is scope for post-surgery infections or other complications.

2. Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: This is a modern method in which the surgeon usually makes three or four incisions in the abdomen. A small device with a light and camera, called a laparoscope, is inserted into one of the incisions, and the gallbladder is carefully removed. Dr. T. Lakshmikanth, a senior consultant best gastroenterologist in Hyderabad, has performed thousands of laparoscopic cholecystectomies for more than 20 years and is widely considered to be one of the best laparoscopic and gallbladder stone specialists in Hyderabad.

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