Gallbladder Stone - Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Gallstones are hard collections that form in the gallbladder. Almost 25% of people with gallstones need treatment, usually surgery. Nowadays, gallbladder surgery is one of the most common surgeries.
Surgery to remove the gallbladder is also called a cholecystectomy. This is sometimes done as an open surgery using a large incision. Laparoscopic surgery is the most common type of surgery and this minimally invasive procedure uses several small incisions.
What is Gallstone?
Gallstones are small, pebble-like things that form in the gallbladder. They develop when bile contains too much cholesterol or salt and becomes solid. Gallstones become a problem when they migrate outside the gallbladder and block the flow of bile.
Signs & symptoms of Gallbladder Stone -Excess of cholesterol in blood may lead to formation of gallbladder stones. The primary symptom is pain in the upper right abdomen and right side of the body. Pain from gallbladder stone normally lasts for a few hours, but it will be severe.
If it’s left untreated, symptoms may increase -
- Fever (high temperature)
- Jaundice
- Back pain between shoulder blades
- Pain in right shoulder
- Nausea or vomiting
Above symptoms can be signs of a gallbladder infection, inflammation of the gallbladder, liver, or pancreas.
Causes of gallbladder stone -
- Excess cholesterol in bile
- Excess bilirubin in bile
- Gallbladder doesn’t empty correctly
Treatments for Gallbladder Stone
For most people with gallbladder stones that don't cause any severe symptoms will never need treatment. Such types of gallstones can be treated through medications & proper diet. Doctors will confirm the type of treatment for gallstones based on your symptoms and the results of diagnostic testing.
Treatment options for gallstones -
- 1. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy - Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a common surgery. The surgeon will make three or four incisions in your abdomen. They’ll insert a small, lighted device into the incisions, check for stones, and carefully remove from your gallbladder.
- 2. Open cholecystectomy - This surgery is normally performed when the gallbladder is inflamed, or infected. Open cholecystectomy may also happen, after the failure of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
- 3. Medications to dissolve gallstones - Medications also help to dissolve gallstones but it's a long process.
A person can’t change some of the factors that can increase the risk of developing gallstones, such as age, sex, over weight & cholesterol. Gallstones may lead to severe problems, do not take risk, get the gallstones removed from the best gallbladder stone removal hospitals in Bangalore.
