Gallstone Overview
When digestive fluid hardens up inside the gallbladder, it turns into gallstones. The gallbladder stores digestive fluid (bile) and is positioned beneath the liver, on the right of the abdomen. It is a small-size organ with the shape of a pear.
A gallstone may be of any size. Its size may either resemble that of a golf ball or a sand grain. There can be either a single gallstone or multiple gallstones in the gallbladder of an individual.
The symptoms of gallstones vary from one individual to the next. In some cases, gallstones are accompanied by certain symptoms. On the other hand, some individuals may be asymptomatic usually. Asymptomatic gallstones do not require any surgery, but gallbladder surgery is necessary if gallstones start showing symptoms.
Gallstone Causes
While many studies have been conducted on gallstones, their causes are still unclear. Most health care professionals and experts believe certain factors may trigger them in individuals. These include the following:
Types of Gallstones
Depending on the method of formation due to excessive cholesterol or bilirubin, gallstones can be put under the following two categories:
Gallbladder – Symptoms
The symptoms of gallstones include the following:
Gallstone Complications
A gallstone, following its formation, may show up the following complications:
When Should You See a Doctor?
Consider seeing a doctor if you experience the following:
Gallstone Prevention
Gallbladder surgery is not necessary for an individual unless they develop symptoms due to the formation of gallstones. One of the best ways to eliminate the need for the operation of the gallbladder is to adopt preventive measures.
"Prevention is better than cure," as the saying goes. Some effective measures for preventing the formation of gallstones include the following:
Gallstone Treatment
The treatment plan for gallstones depends on their diagnosis which is done based on the complications. The following tests and methods are used for diagnosing a gallstone in an individual:
Most cases of gallstones do not necessitate treatment. However, you need to see a doctor if you experience acute pain in the abdomen and other symptoms. Depending on the diagnosis of gallstones in your gallbladder of your body, a doctor may suggest the following treatment options for you:
Observation – If asymptomatic gall stone disease
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