Gallstones are more common in women and people under 60 years of age. Gallstone types are divided into two. These are called cholesterol stones and pigment stones. Cholesterol stones are larger than 2.5 cm, close to white in color and differ in shape. Pigment stones are divided into two as brown and black. In brown pigment stones, bacteria secrete some secretions and cause more effect on stone formation. Black stones are usually composed of calcium bilirubinate.
Gallbladder Stone Symptoms
Gallstones usually form silently. Symptoms may start to appear some time after the formation of the stone. It may not be possible to recognize stone formation in the initial stage. One of the symptoms ofgallstones is cramping and pain in the gallbladder area. This is the upper right part of the abdomen and can be very painful, usually after eating fatty foods. This sudden onset of pain can last between half an hour and 3 hours. In addition to the pain in the gallbladder area, the person may also experience symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. Anothersymptom of gallbladderis swelling and gas formation in the abdomen. Since these symptoms may be a symptom of another disease, a specialist doctor should be consulted.
What Causes Gallstones?
Gallstones can form due to an imbalance of some components in the bile fluid. As the components are unbalanced, crystals in the bile accumulate and stones are formed. The conditions that cause these crystals to combine and form stones in the gallbladder can be listed as follows:
- Bilirubin excess; The liver can excrete this substance, which is formed as a result of the breakdown of red blood cells, through bile. Whenthe bilirubin level increases, stone formation in the gallbladder may occur.
- Cholesterol imbalance; As a result of excess cholesterol in bile, bile salts will be insufficient to dissolve excess cholesterol and stone formation may occur in bile.
- Problems in emptying the gallbladder; Stones may form because the gallbladder that cannot be emptied sufficiently condenses.
- Genetic factors,
- Gender,
- Age,
- Dietary style
What kind of discomfort does a gallbladder stone cause?
Gallstones can also cause different diseases. With the formation of stones in the gallbladder; discomforts such as inflammation of the gallbladder, inflammation of the bile duct, stones in the gallbladder passing into the bile duct may occur. In addition, conditions such as gallstones blocking the pancreatic duct by blocking the pancreatic duct, accumulation of pus in the gallbladder, and death of tissues by the gallbladder not receiving sufficient blood flow can also occur.
In order to prevent these conditions from occurring, the stones in the gallbladder should be treated. There are many treatment methods toeliminate stones in the gallbladder .
How to reduce gallstones?
The treatment of gallstones varies according to the size and number of gallstones. The most common treatment for gallstones is surgery. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery removes the gallbladder. Cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gallbladder. Cholecystectomy is a recommended treatment for pain and complications caused by gallstones such as biliary colic, cholecystitis, pancreatitis and cholangitis, as well as biliary dyskinesia and gallbladder cancer. ERCP can also be used to remove stones in the gallbladder. In this method, the bile duct is accessed with an endoscope and the stones are removed. Drug therapy is also a method used for stones in the bile duct. The medication dissolves the stones in the gallbladder. It is a method that can be effective for small stones. Shock wave therapy can also be effective in destroying stones in the gallbladder. It is aimed to break gallstones by usingsound waves.
Nutrition and lifestyle are also of great importance to reduce gallstones. Nutrition has a significant effect on the formation of gallstones. Even if the stones are eliminated, it is necessary to pay attention to nutrition as there is a risk of reoccurrence. Measures such as low-fat diets, maintaining one's ideal weight and regular exercise can be taken.
