GALLSTONES

• The gallbladder is a small sac found just under the liver. It stores bile made by the liver. Bile moves from the gallbladder to the small intestine and helps in digestion.

• Gallstones are the stones that form in the gallbladder. Gallstones occur more commonly in women(Fat, fertile, fair, female of forty)

What Causes Gallstones?

Imbalance in the substances that forms the bile causing gallstones. Gallstones may form if bile contains too much cholesterol, too much bilirubin or not enough bile salts.

• Majority of people with gallstones have no symptoms. Once symptoms develop they are likely to continue and often will worsen.

• The most common symptom of gallstones is biliary colic. Biliary colic is a very severe type of pain which can come suddenly or build rapidly to peak over a few minutes. Usually felt at the right upper quadrant of abdomen sometimes radiating to the right back.

Will gallstones cause any complications?

Yes, they can cause inflammation of the gallbladder (Cholecystitis), inflammation of the pancreas by stones, blocking the pancreatic duct and rarely gallbladder cancer.

Treatment:

• Cholecystectomy (Removal of the gallbladder) is the standard treatment for gallstones in the gallbladder.

• No open operation has been more profoundly replaced by the advent of laparoscopy than cholecystectomy.

• Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the gold standard for treatment of gallstones which has received Universal acceptance.

• You can lead a perfectly normal life without a gallbladder. The gallbladder is not essential for life.