A study found that around 4 to 7% of the adult population in India has deposits in their gallbladders at some point in their lives. While gallbladder stones are prevalent in Western countries, it is becoming a rising concern in India.
Gallbladder stones, or gallstones, are hardened stone-like substances that form in the gallbladder. Many cases of gallstones are asymptomatic while some people experience the abdominal pain characteristic of this condition. These deposits are of different types, based on their causative factors, and can be treated in different ways.
Continue reading to learn more about gallstone causes, types, and treatment methods.
The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ located right below your liver, in the upper right part of your abdomen. Its main function is to store the bile juice secreted by the liver and release it into the duodenum part of the small intestine.
Due to varied causes, any inefficiency in the storage and release of bile juice can lead to the formation of gallstones. In medical terms, this condition is called cholelithiosis. These hardened deposits may remain in the gallbladder or travel into the bile duct, causing blockage and pain. In some cases, the stones are tiny, around the size of a grain of sand, while in others it may be up to the size of a golf ball. Also, some people have a single gallstone while others have several.
Gallbladder stones are caused by the deposits of bile. Different components of this digestive fluid may contribute to the formation of the varied types of gallstones. Some of the common gallstone causesare mentioned below.
Naturally, bile contains cholesterol. Its normal levels, however, are low enough that the cholesterol is easily broken down by the different chemical components of this fluid. When the cholesterol levels in the bile increase to a point where it cannot be broken down, cholesterol gets deposited in the gallbladder in the form of crystals. Over time, the crystal(s) solidifies to form stones.
Gallstones formed from cholesterol deposits are called cholesterol gallstones and often appear yellow.
Bilirubin is a yellowish-orange pigment formed after the breakdown of red blood cells. While normal bile contains a small amount of bilirubin, its increased levels may lead to deposits. Conditions like biliary tract infections, liver cirrhosis, and some blood disorders often lead to a rise in the levels of this pigment.
Gallstones formed from bilirubin deposits are called pigment gallstones and appear dark brown to black.
The gallbladder stores bile and transfers it into the small intestine regularly. When this emptying and filling cycle becomes inefficient, for instance, the bladder does not empty properly, there is a high risk of stone formation.
The bile that is left behind often becomes concentrated into crystals which harden into stones.
Gallbladder stones can be asymptomatic and may go unnoticed for months or years. As per a study, around 10% of people with gallstones experience the symptoms within the first 5 years. These symptoms are often caused when one or more stones travel into the bile duct and cause a blockage.
Gallstone causes the following indications in symptomatic patients:
Among these, sudden and sharp pain in the upper right abdomen is a telltale characteristic of gallstones.
There are several methods for gallbladder stone removal. The doctors suggest a treatment plan based on your overall health and the type, size, and age of the stones. The methods employed in gallstone treatment are discussed below.
Also called cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder is often a viable treatment option. Doctors suggest this method when the gallstones are big enough that medications would be ineffective or take a very long time.
The removal of the gallbladder usually does not affect your quality of life. Since the function of this organ is to simply store and transfer the bile juice, its removal does not cause any significant difference.
After the procedure, bile would be transferred from your liver straight into your small intestine. You may experience some difficulty, like diarrhea, at first but your body adjusts to the change eventually.
Medication is preferred forgallstone treatment when these stones are very small and can be absolved in a short time. It is, however, rare to diagnose this condition when the stones are this small as they can usually pass through the bile duct.
These medications consist of concentrated bile juice which helps dissolve the cholesterol or bilirubin in the stones. It is often suggested for people who cannot undergo surgery due to health-related or other reasons.
Also called ERCP, it is a primarily diagnostic method that can be used for medical interventions. ERCP is often employed in gallbladder stone removal. It uses an endoscope, which is a thin tube-like structure with a small camera on top, inserted through the mouth toward the bile duct and the duodenum. The doctors inject a dye in the area to visualize the stones and may surgically remove them.
Gallbladder stone formation cannot be predicted. You can, however, take preventive measures to lower the risks of having them.
The medical field has advanced significantly and there are efficient gallstone treatment options. But prevention is always better than treatment. So adopt healthy habits and take care of your body religiously.
Gallbladder stone treatment in Delhi addresses a rising concern in India, affecting 4 to 7% of adults. Thus, it is crucial to take the treatment at the right time. In Delhi, Dr. Piyush Ranjan is one of the best gastroenterologists. He offers advanced treatment options for gallbladder stones, including minimally invasive procedures such as laparoscopic cholecystectomy. These techniques result in less pain, faster recovery, and minimal scarring compared to traditional open surgery.
Dr. Piyush Ranjan, a distinguished Gastroenterologist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi has done his medical schooling from Maulana Azad Medical College New Delhi and subsequent training in Gastroenterology from SGPGI, Lucknow in 2003.
