Contents
In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.
Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.
Gallstone disease is a disease in which stones form in the bile ducts (e.g. gall bladder) and remain there. This causes blockage of the bile ducts, inflammation of the pancreas, or obstruction of the pancreatic duct. Treatment is mainly based on surgical removal of stones.
Gallstones are a condition characterized by the presence of deposits (stones) in the gallbladder made up of chemicals in the bile. Deposits usually form in the gallbladder, less often outside it.
The stones usually consist of cholesterol, proteins and inorganic ions. Mixed stones constitute the largest amount. In a healthy patient, these substances dissolve in the bile and are excreted into the gastrointestinal tract. When bile is too dense, substances are precipitated in the bile ducts. Gallstones inhibit the flow of bile which is essential for digestion. The symptoms worsen especially after consuming hard-to-digest foods.
Gallstones – causes
There are many causes and factors of gallstone disease:
- excess cholesterol in the body,
- female,
- significant densities of bile,
- cystic fibrosis,
- difficulties in the outflow of bile,
- older age,
- exfoliating cells
- taking certain medications,
- specific eating habits,
- excessive obesity,
- diabetes,
- pregnancy,
- rapid weight loss,
- liver disease
- an underactive thyroid gland (thyroid gland)
- condition after bowel resection, short bowel syndrome,
- hemolytic anemia,
- many other diseases also contribute to the formation of deposits in the bile ducts.
For many years, and in some people for life, urolithiasis may not cause any discomfort. It is then recognized accidentally. Prophylactically for the biliary tract, we recommend Kocanka Sand Premium ™ – support for the liver and gall bladder, available in the form of capsules.
The risk of stones in the gallbladder is determined by the 5xF rule – fertile, female, over XNUMX, obese and fair-haired.
Make an abdominal e-packet – tests for diseases of the digestive system allow for early detection of possible abnormalities that may appear in the human body.
The incidence of gallstone disease
Gallstones occur in about 20 percent. Western European population. The risk and the incidence of the disease increase with age. This disease is much more common in women. In 10 percent patients with gallstone disease develop deposits in the bile ducts.
To support gallstone disease, use LiverDetox – Doctor Life dietary supplement, which supports the liver and helps it regenerate faster.
Gallstones – symptoms
- Infected gallbladder stones: dull pain in the right hypochondrium, abdominal distension and various dyspeptic symptoms.
- Uninfected cholelithiasis: the pains are rather spasmodic and radiate towards the middle epigastrium and to the right shoulder blade.
- Urolithiasis: harassing ailments and chronic cholestasis in the bile ducts with secondary consequences such as yellowing of the whites of the eyes and skin, inflammation and liver cirrhosis.
A characteristic symptom of gallstone disease is the attack of the so-called biliary colic – feeling of sudden and very severe cramp pain in the upper abdomen and right shoulder blade area. Pains are caused by the movement of gallstones within the bile duct. It is accompanied by low-grade fever, chills and sweating.
If the biliary colic is not accompanied by other symptoms, the patient has dealt with it before, and it has receded after taking medications – you can use antispasmodics and painkillers, which are available at a pharmacy without a prescription.
The diastolic drugs recommended to patients during first aid are hyoscine and drotaverine, while the most common painkillers are metamizole, paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Try also the Verbena herb in the form of a tea.
You should see your doctor immediately when symptoms appear for the first time in your life, as it is important to find out what is causing them. In addition, if the symptoms are much more severe than before, a doctor’s help is needed, especially in the event of fever, chills and vomiting.
You should not independently treat older people who suffer from other additional ailments and pregnant women. Remember that you will get access to a quick consultation with a family doctor via the halodoctor.pl portal. The doctor will conduct a medical interview and issue referrals for necessary tests.
Diagnosis of gallstone disease
The test is highly effective in diagnosing gallstone disease abdominal ultrasound, it is even over 90 percent. Often, gallstone disease is diagnosed by chance, during examination for another reason. Ultrasound examination allows to determine the size of the gallstones as well as their number and location. Another additional test that your doctor may order is computed tomography abdominal cavity. In addition, it is often performed blood testto assess the number of white blood cells and tests that measure how the liver is working. Assessment of bile stagnation in the bile ducts is also important.
Abdominal ultrasound can be performed quickly and conveniently in private POLMED facilities. Check on the medonetmarket.pl portal.
Gallstones – treatment
Patients who develop uncomplicated biliary colic of unknown cause can self-administer painkillers and antispasmodics. In the case of severe pain that does not subside after taking medications, a doctor should be consulted, who will refer the patient for further diagnostic tests, if necessary. Surgical consultation may also be necessary when gallstones persist for a long time or when there is a risk of complications.
Gallstones are surgically removed along with the deposits that are inside. It can be done traditional methodwhich consists in cutting the abdominal wall and removing the bubble together with the deposits or laparoscopic method with the help of special organs (without incising the sheaths). During laparoscopy, the doctor introduces a special apparatus into the abdominal cavity through three small incisions in the skin, and then removes the follicle. This method is much more often recommended because it is characterized by shorter convalescence time, fewer complications and shorter hospitalization period.
If there are contraindications to surgery, pharmacological treatment with oral ursodeoxycholic acid is initiated. The effectiveness of this type of treatment can be as high as 70%, but it is quite long-lasting and should last at least six months. Unfortunately, after discontinuation of the preparation, there is a risk of gallstone recurrence. Drug therapy is most effective in the case of small stones, the size of which does not exceed 1,5 cm in diameter.
Note: Pharmacological treatment can be used in patients who have not experienced complications!
To support the body in the fight against gallstone disease, regularly use Gallstone – a mixture of herbs based on the original recipe of Father Klimuszko.
Gallbladder surgery price
Complications of gallstone disease
The long-term occurrence of gallstone disease and thus blockage of the cystic duct results in complications such as: hydrocele and cholecystitis. Cholecystitis is manifested mainly by a high temperature, chills and a high white blood cell count on the test. In addition, patients often experience pain in the right upper abdomen, which increases with deep inhalation and pressure. As for the complication of hydrocele – it is an enlarged gallbladder, distended and filled with mucus inside. It manifests itself with typical ailments associated with inflammation, i.e. temperature and chills.
Of course, it is possible, but only after surgical removal of the gallbladder along with the stones inside. The risk of complications following surgery is low.
As mentioned above, recurrence of gallstone disease can occur in patients who are not surgically treated and are undergoing pharmacological treatment.
Familiarize yourself with the offers of institutions that offer gallbladder removal surgery.
Management after the end of treatment
One of the most important recommendations after the end of treatment (both the colic subsides and surgery) is to follow a proper diet. It should be based on low-fat and high-carbohydrate products. Patients should avoid eating large meals and change them to smaller but more frequent portions (preferably 5-6 meals a day).
Find out which foods you can eat with gallstone disease
Patients’ favorite baked or fried dishes should be replaced with boiled and stewed dishes. Do you love mayonnaise, lard, butter and fatty meat? Unfortunately, you have to forget about them, because eating these types of products is inadvisable.
It is worth switching your diet to low-fat products, cereals and pasta, as well as graham or wheat bread.
It is not possible to find unambiguous ways to prevent gallstone disease, as the causes of its formation are not fully understood. However, you can influence some factors, such as obesity, by changing the diet. Especially people with a predisposition to getting sick should change the way they think about food.