Gallstone: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Gallstone: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Gallstones are a widespread health issue that often gos unnoticed until they cause pain. Most of the time, they don’t show any signs. But when they do, they can lead to a lot of discomfort and pain and might need a doctor’s help.

Gallstones can affect individuals of all ages, but they are more commonly found in adults. They often begin quietly and builds up over time. Understanding the signs and causes of a gallbladder issue can help you receive the appropriate care when necessary.

Here’s a closer look at the signs, causes, and ways to treat it.

Unspoken Signs That Indicate a Gallbladder Issue

Gallstones can exist for years without causing any noticeable issues. But once they start moving or blocking any duct, the symptoms appear quickly. Some key signs include:

• • Pain in the upper right abdomen
  • • Can occur suddenly
  • • Lasts from a few minutes to several hours
• • Nausea or vomiting
  • • Especially after eating greasy or heavy food
• • Pain in the back or right shoulder
  • • Can spread and make it hard to sit or lie down comfortably
• • Indigestion or bloating
  • • Especially after meals
• • Jaundice (in severe cases)
  • • Yellowish skin or eyes
  • • Indicates blockage in bile ducts

Note: Not all cases show clear symptoms. That’s why some people only find out during routine scans or other surgeries.

Why Do Gallstones Form in the First Place?

There is no single reason. A mix of physical, dietary, and lifestyle factors can lead to their formation. Some common causes include:

• • Imbalance in bile
  • • Too much cholesterol
  • • Not enough bile salts
• • Obesity or rapid weight loss
  • • Affects the way the body processes fats
• • Skipping meals or irregular eating patterns
  • • Causes bile to build up and form crystals
• • Hormonal factors
  • • More common in women due to estrogen
• • Genetics
  • • Family history can increase risk
• • Age and lifestyle
  • • Age over 40 and a sedentary life add to the risk

The presence of a gallstone with or without symptoms should not be ignored.

Diagnosis and Testing Methods

It usually starts with a physical exam followed by one or more of these tests:

• • Ultrasound
  • • Most common and accurate method
• • Blood tests
  • • To check for infection or liver problems
• • CT scan or MRI
  • • For more detailed images if needed
• • HIDA scan
  • • To test how well the gallbladder is working

Each of these helps the doctor decide the next step and rule out other conditions.

What Happens After Diagnosis? Treatment Options

If the gallstone causes pain or complications, treatment becomes necessary. It can vary depending on the size, number, and frequency of symptoms.

1. • Lifestyle Changes
   • • Low-fat diet
   • • Regular eating habits
   • • Avoiding fried and oily foods
2. • Surgical Removal (Cholecystectomy)
   • • Laparoscopic method is most preferred
   • • Small cuts, quicker healing
   • • Gallbladder is removed, not just the stones
   • • Safe and commonly done procedure

Some people worry about living without a gallbladder. But the body adjusts quickly, and normal digestion continues in most cases. For those considering surgery, it is important to consult a laparoscopic surgeon to understand the procedure, recovery, and long-term care.

What Happens If You Ignore It? Possible Risks

Ignoring symptoms can lead to complications like:

• • Infection
  • • Can spread to liver or pancreas
• • Gallbladder inflammation (Cholecystitis)
  • • Pain and fever
• • Pancreatitis
  • • When stone blocks the pancreatic duct
• • Bile duct obstruction
  • • Can cause severe pain and infection

In such cases, emergency care may be required. That’s why timely action is important.

Post-Surgery Life and Recovery

Recovery after gallbladder surgery is usually smooth. Some things to keep in mind:

• • Go back to work in about a week
• • Eat smaller meals at regular intervals
• • Avoid fatty foods in the early weeks
• • Watch for signs like fever, redness, or swelling at the surgery site

With time, most people return to their usual routine without any major restrictions.

Time to Take Control

People who experience digestive discomfort repeatedly should consider getting a gallstone check. It can interfere with daily life and overall wellness.
Expert diagnosis and treatment are available at Meta Heal. Dr. Aparna Govil Bhasker has extensive experience in treating gallstones through safe and effective procedures.