ABSTRACT – Gallstones are the small stones, hardened deposits of digestive fluid which gets produced in the gallbladder, a...
Gallstones
Gallstones are the small stones, hardened deposits of digestive fluid which gets produced in the gallbladder, a small organ located beneath the liver. It can be one or many in number. People suffering from this disease usually go for gallbladder removal.
Types –
Cholesterol Stones- Appears yellow in color, accounts for almost 80% of the gallstones. These are composed of undissolved cholesterol
Pigment stones – These type of stones are dark brown or black pigmented stones which is formed from bilirubin.
CAUSES –
Heredity
High cholesterol
Excessive amount of bilirubin in the bile
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS –
Pain in the right upper part of the abdomen
Nausea and Vomiting
Indigestion
Bleaching
Bloating
Jaundice
Contraceptive pills
COMPLICATIONS –
Cholecystitis – Inflammation of the gallbladder
Cholangitis – Hepatic and intrahepatic ducts gets infected
Gangrene – Inflammation of the cholecytitis prevents the supply of blood to the gallbladder
Jaundice
Pancreatitis
Sepsis
Fistula- Gallstones erodes the soft wall of the gallbladder and causes fistula
Cancer
DIAGNOSIS –
Blood Test
Urine Test
Ultrasound
CT Scan
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography – Thin flexible tube is inserted inside the patients biliary system to treat problems of the bile and pancreatic ducts.
Chest X- Ray
TREATMENT –
Cholecystectomy – Surgery to remove gallbladder
Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (ESWL) – Shock waves are given to break gallstones into tiny pieces
Oral Dilution Therapy
RISK FACTORS –
Aging
Obesity
Pregnancy
Consuming high fat food
Diabetes
Gradually losing weight
Medication containing estrogen
Family history
EPIDEMIOLOGY –
Annually, it affects10% to 15% of the adult population worldwide and females are more prone to get affected from gallstones.
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