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He is one of the best gastroenterology doctors I have ever visited. Took my uncle for stomach pain, the doctor did endoscopy & colonoscopy, diagnosed the problem as large intestine cancer, the doctor asked a...
Uma V
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The doctor is extremely professional and polite. He explains the problem patiently and does not prescribe unnecessary medication. He gives priority to the patient's well-being over everything. I Will definitely recommend him
Chandrasekhar Sriramula
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I have referred/recommended a couple of my relatives and friends to this Dr (Dr. Srujan Kumar Dasyam). I say that the diagnosis and treatment are good and also Dr listens patiently in understanding the patient's...
Apoorva Reddy Panyala
Table Of Contents
- What are Gall Stones?
- What Causes Gall Stones?
- What are the Symptoms of Gall Stones?
- How to Diagnose Gall Stones?
- What are the Complications of Gall Stones?
- What is the Treatment for Gall Stones?
What are Gall Stones?
Gall stones are solid crystal deposits formed inside the gall bladder, a small pouch under the liver, whose main function is to store bile produced by the liver.
What Causes Gall Stones?
A gall bladder is a small pouch that stores the bile juice produced by the liver to help with the breakdown of fatty foods. Typically, the concentration of bile acids is high enough to break down the cholesterol and keep it in liquid form. But, when a diet is high in fat, it can offset the balance causing the liver to produce more cholesterol than the bile acids can handle. Gall stones are generally formed when this cholesterol starts forming deposits and hardens up. This is the way most gall stones are produced.
Sometimes, calcium gets mixed with bilirubin, thus forming gall stones.
What are the Symptoms of Gall Stones?
- Mild to severe upper abdominal pain
- Back pain between both the shoulders
- High fever with chills
- Rapid heartbeat
- Jaundice
- Itchy skin
- Diarrhoea
- Confusion
- A loss of appetite
How to Diagnose Gall Stones?
Tests and procedures include:
- Abdominal ultrasound: It is used to create abdomen images and spot any irregularities, if present.
- Endoscopic ultrasound: A lighted tube with a camera is inserted into the digestive tract through the mouth to create abdomen images. It can spot small stones that are not captured by ultrasound.
- MRCP
- ERCP
- Blood tests: To check for signs of infection
What are the Complications of Gall Stones?
The complications of gall stones include:
- Infection of bile ducts: Obstruction of bile ducts makes them vulnerable to bacterial infection.
- Acute pancreatitis: Gall stone can move out of the gall bladder and block the pancreatic duct, resulting in inflammation of the pancreas.
- Gallstone ileus: Gall stones can move out of the gall bladder and obstruct the bowel. It results in abdominal swelling and constipation and, if left for an extended period, might cause the bowel to rupture.
- Jaundice: Sometimes, the gallstone passes out to block the bile duct, causing jaundice.
- Gallbladder cancer: It is a rare but possible complication that might result from a chronic case of gall bladder stones along with relevant family history.
What is the Treatment for Gall Stones?
Cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal) is the most common treatment regime followed in such cases.
Generally, surgery is performed in such cases, but if not possible, there are a few other ways too:
- Oral dissolution therapy: These medicines contain bile acids to break down the crystals. This method can take months to years to work.
- Shock wave lithotripsy: Shockwaves aimed at the stones with the help of X-rays or ultrasound, are passed through a person’s body to break the gall stones into smaller pieces.
- Drainage of gall bladder: Gall bladder is drained through a sterile needle, and bile is taken out. This is generally the last option to resort to.
