Treatment for gallstones usually depends on the severity of the symptoms and the overall health of the patient. Let's explore more: https://www.southlakegeneralsurgery.com/treatment-for-gallstones-symptoms-causes-risks-and-options/

1. TREATMENT
FOR
GALLSTONES:
SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, RISKS, AND OPTIONS
By: DrValeria Simone MD
(Southlake General Surgery,Texas, USA)
9/28/2023 Sample FooterText 1

2. 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.

4. 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.

5. UNDERSTANDING
GALLSTONES

6. 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.

7. SYMPTOMS
AND
WARNING
SIGNS

8. 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.

9. CAUSES
AND
RISK
FACTORS

10. 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
person’s 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 progesterone’s
effect of slowing the emptying of the gallbladder, may account for why the risk for
women decreases with age relative to men.

11. DIAGNOSING
GALLSTONES

12. 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, Murphy’s 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.

13. NON-
SURGICAL
TREATMENTS
FOR
GALLSTONES

14. 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.

15. MEDICATIONS

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. Endoscopic Retrograde
Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a procedure utilized to extract
gallstones from the bile duct. It necessitates the following steps:
1. Insertion of a thin tube equipped with a camera into the bile duct to identify and remove
the stones.
2. Widening the bile duct opening by means of a small incision or an electrically heated
wire.
3. 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.
It’s imperative to seek medical guidance to decide if ERCP is the right treatment for your
specific gallstone situation.

19. SURGICALTREATMENTS
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.

20. 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.

21. 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 patient’s overall health and the
specifics of their gallstone condition, laparoscopic cholecystectomy might be a more
fitting choice in some instances.

22. COMPLICATIONS
AND
CONSEQUENCES
OF GALLSTONES

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. PREVENTING
GALLSTONES

26. 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.
Let’s explore more: Treatment for Gallstones: Symptoms, Causes, Risks, and Options
- Southlake General Surgery

27. 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.

28. THANKYOU!
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1545 E. Southlake Blvd, Suite 270 Southlake, TX 76092
EMAIL: info@southlakegeneralsurgery.com
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