Gallstone Disease

Stones inside the gallbladder

Overview

In gallstone disease, hardened deposits of digestive fluids are formed in the gallbladder, which is a pear shaped, small organ on the right side of the abdomen.

A patient can develop just one or sometimes more than one gallstone at the same time. They range in sizes from as small as a grain of sand to as big as a golf ball. Patients experiencing Gallstone Disease symptoms normally require a gallbladder removal surgery.

Symptoms

Gallstone Disease may not cause any signs or symptoms but if a gallstone lodges in a duct and causes a blockage, the patient may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

Nausea

Vomiting

Dark Urine

Burping

Diarrhea

Indigestion

Upper Abdomen Pain

Centre Abdomen Pain

Causes

It is not yet known completely what causes the gallstones to form but the most commonly known causes are:

Diagnosis

Other than regular physical examination, a doctor may require to perform some tests to determine the best way of treatment. The tests may include:

Abdominal CT Scan

Ultrasound

Radionuclide Scan (GRS)

Blood Tests

ERCP

When to See a Doctor

Make an appointment right away if any worrisome symptoms appear such as:

Treatment

The most common procedure used to treat Gallstone Disease is a Laparoscopic Surgery. Usually 3-4 incisions are made in the abdomen from where a Laparoscopic Surgeon inserts a small, lighted device and carefully removes the gallbladder.

Risks, Complications & Preventions

A Gallstone Surgery is quite common. The patient is usually discharged on the same day or a day later, if there is not any major complication. Gallstones can be prevented by taking the following healthy measures: