Know More About Gall Stones

Gallstones are pieces of a solid substance that form in the gallbladder, a small pouch-like organ that stores digestive juices like bile that helps in digestion.

What are the Types of Gallstones

Cholesterol stones: They are very common and are generally yellow-green in color.

Pigment stones:These are small and dark in color. They're made up of bilirubin, that comes from bile, a fluid made in the liver and stored in your gallbladder.

What are Possible Causes of Gallstones

There may be several causes, like:

• Your Genes
• Obesity
• Problems with your gallbladder
• Diet

Bile can also cause gallstones when it has too much cholesterol in it

Signs and Symptoms of Gallstone

It can be asymptomatic. But if you do get symptoms, they generally include:

• Discomfort in the stomach causing nausea or even vomiting at times.
• Stomach pain while eating high-fat foods
• Darker urine than normal
• Dark colored stool
• Other digestive issues such as bloating, indigestion, heartburn, and gas.

What are the ways for Gallstone Diagnosis

• Physical exam
• Blood tests to find an infection or other conditions
• Ultrasound: This rapid method makes images of the inside of your body.
• CT scan: Specialized X-rays are used to see inside your body, together with your gallbladder.

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP): use of magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to make images of the inside of your body, which includes the liver and the gallbladder.

Cholescintigraphy (HIDA scan): This test is done to check whether the gallbladder squeezes correctly. A safe radioactive material is injected, that makes its way to the organ. The technician then observes its movement.

Endoscopic ultrasound: The test unites ultrasound and endoscopy to look for gallstones.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): Your doctor inserts an endoscope by your mouth down to the small intestine and injects a dye to let the bile ducts to be observed. He can then remove any gallstones that have moved into the ducts.

Treatment and Surgery Operation for Gallstone

Generally, surgery is done to people with gallstones to take out the gallbladder. There are two different types of operations.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A common procedure in which your surgeon passes devices, a light, and a camera by several small cuts in the stomach. He can see the inside of the body on a video monitor. The patient normally goes home the same day.

Open cholecystectomy. Your surgeon makes larger cuts in the abdomen to take away the gallbladder. You will have to stay in the hospital for a few days after the procedure.

Know more about Gallstone or Gallbladder Removal techniques in Gurgaon only @ UPHI.