Gallstones… It’s certainly a dramatic, traumatic sounding development within the body. Fortunately, for the majority of sufferers, gallstones – small stones made of cholesterol that form in the gallbladder – needn’t be a major concern. As the NHS advise, ‘’In most cases, they do not cause any symptoms and do not need to be treated.’’
Indeed, most of those who have gallstones will never know they even have them – and they will never require treatment. But a certain percentage of individuals with gallstones do need to be treated, usually if they are causing problems that affect your everyday life, such as sudden episodes of intense pain in the upper portion of the abdomen, as they can sometimes bring on.
You’re probably wondering, three paragraphs in, how to know if you have gallstones, and, if you do, how to treat them. Let’s find out…
The Symptoms Of Gallstones
Firstly, how do you actually know if you have gallstones? Well, primarily, if you do show any symptoms, it will be in the form of sudden and severe abdominal pain, which can last up to 5 hours, though often it’s for a much shorter period. This will only occur intermittently, perhaps every few weeks, and may be triggered by the consumption of fatty foods.
Crucially, this pain isn’t relieved by going to the toilet or vomiting, though it may be accompanied by nausea.
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The Diagnoses Of Gallstones
The cause of gallstones is still up for some debate, but it is thought that they are caused by a chemical imbalance in the bile inside your gallbladder.
Often, gallstones are not felt – rather, they are diagnosed through different procedures. These include the following:
An abdominal ultrasound is the most common test involving a device (a transducer) moving across the tummy area. The transducer transmits computer signals which develop images of the abdominal structure.
An endoscopic ultrasound – the EUS, as it is also known, identifies tinier stones that an abdominal ultrasound may have missed. During the procedure, a specialist passes a tube called an endoscope through the patient’s mouth and to the digestive tract. A transducer within the tube then emits sound waves that produce an image of the tissue around it.
Other tests – a series of different tests can be done, and these include a HIDA scan, CT scan, oral cholecystography, an MRCP, or an ERCP. When gallstones are discovered using ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography), it is possible to have them removed right then and there.
Alternatively, a blood test can determine if the patient has jaundice, an infection, pancreatitis, and other gallstone-related complications, leading to a conclusion that gallstones are the likely cause.
The Treatment Of Gallstones
As mentioned, many individuals with gallstones will not experience symptoms and will never require treatment. That said, as the specialists at Londonsurgicalgroup.co.uk tell us, a small number of people suffering with gallstones may experience complications should the gallstones move into a different part of the digestive system or block a bile duct.
For those people, as well as those who have a condition that increases their risk of complications, such as liver cirrhosis, high blood pressure in the liver, or diabetes, a several treatment options for gallstones are available:
- Surgery – You may undergo surgery that removes your gallbladder, called a cholecystectomy. Most specialists recommend the removal of the gallbladder, mainly because it is easy for gallstones to recur. In addition, bile stored in the gallbladder will flow straight to the small intestine from the liver when the gallbladder is taken out.
It should be noted that people don’t actually need their gallbladders; removing the gallbladder does not affect food digestion. It may cause diarrhoea, but the effects are only temporary.
- Medication – you also have the option of taking an oral medication, but the problem with this treatment is that it may take many months – or even several years – before your gallstones get dissolved, and again, it’s best to remember that gallstones can form once more if there is no more treatment. Generally speaking, medication for gallstones (most often ursodeoxycholic acid tablets if your gallstones don’t contain calcium) isn’t as effective as surgery.
- Monitoring – For less serious cases and for those not at a heightened risk of complications, active monitoring of any associated symptoms is recommended.
The Bottom Line
Whilst they may sound serious, diagnosis and treatment of gallstones needn’t be a huge concern to the vast majority. That said, because of the risk of complications, it’s essential you see your GP if you suspect you might be suffering from them.
*This article is not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment given by a qualified health professional. Instead, this article only provides information, not advice. For any medical enquiries, always consult your GP or specialist health professional first*