Know all about gallstones diagnosis and treatment

Gallbladder stones are one of the most painful and uncomfortable problems one can face. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms, it is important that you consult a doctor at the earliest and get yourself checked before the problem escalates and gets out of hand.

Gallbladder stones are not really stones but are the solid material substances that form within the gallbladder. Gallbladder is situated right below the liver and collects the bile that the liver produces in order to digest the food we eat. In most cases, patients are not even aware that have gallbladder stones until the gallbladder duct gets blocked and severe pain and gastritis starts.

Causes of gallbladder stones

Although, a definite cause for the formation of the stones is not yet confirmed, there might be one or few reasons combined for the stones.

• Obesity

• Genetics

• Infection in the gallbladder

• Diet or the lack of it

• Excess cholesterol in the bile

• Malfunction of the gallbladder

• Diabetes

• Dieting

Women are more prone to gallbladder stones due to the estrogen hormone present in their bodies and estrogen helps in multiplying of the stones.

Symptoms of gallbladder stones

As mentioned, in most cases, people are unaware of the stones in their gallbladders. When things start getting extreme, then people consult a doctor. But, you might want to keep a check on the symptoms that give away the presence of stones in the gallbladder.

• Severe and lasting pain in the back and upper belly

• Nausea

• Indigestion

• Vomiting

• Bloating

• Feeling full after meals

• Gas

Diagnosis of the gallbladder stones

When you suspect stones in your gallbladder or are experiencing one or all of the above symptoms, it is best to see a doctor immediately.  They will do a physical exam first and to reach a firm conclusion, they might ask you to undergo either or few of the following tests.

• Blood tests

• CT scans

• Ultrasound

• Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)

• Cholescintigraphy (HIDA scan)

• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

Treatment of the gallbladder stones

Doctors prefer to treat the gallbladder stones only if the symptoms appear and persist for long duration. In most cases, surgical removal of the gallbladder is opted for as it is the permanent solution for the problem at the same time, lesser risk of stones spreading to other parts of the body.One question that is asked repeatedly ‘can gallstones be removed‘?The answer is yes, they can be removed using medicines or surgery.

Other treatment options are

• Wait and watch approach

The doctors wait and watch if the stones dissolve or dislodge themselves without any intervention. This does happen in many cases and the chances of reoccurrence also slims down to nil.

• Medications

Conventional medicines are prescribed to provide relief from the pain and discomfort. Anti-acids, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory pills are prescribed to provide relief. Apart from these medicines to try and dissolve the stones are also prescribed.

• Surgery

If the stones are too large and are not being dissolved by medicines and other options, surgery is the last resort. Laparoscopic surgeries with minimal invasions are performed and the gallbladder is removed to prevent the stones from breaking down and clog other ducts or organs of the body.