Gallbladder mainly stores a combination of fluids, fat and cholesterol known as bile, which breaks down fat from food into intestine. Our small intestine gets the bile from the gallbladder. By this, nutrients as well as fat soluble vitamins can easily be absorbed in the bloodstream.Inflammation of the gallbladder is known as cholecystitis. It can be either acute i.e. for short term or chronic i.e. for long term. Several acute cholecystitis attacks can lead to chronic inflammation. The surgical procedure to remove the gallbladder is known as cholecystectomy.What are Gallstones?These are not actual stones but are pieces of solid materials which form in the gallbladder. Until the gallstones block the bile duct and causes pain, a person could not even know that he has gallstones. A gallbladder surgeon st leonards often performs surgery to remove these gallstones.Types of GallstonesThe two main types of gallstones are –
- Cholesterol stones
- Pigment stonesCholesterol stones – It is the most common types of gallstones which appear yellow – green in colour. It is mainly the undissolved cholesterol but can contain other components too. Pigment stones – It appears in dark brown or black in colour and is smaller in size. It is made up of bilirubin that comes from bile, a fluid liver makes and gallbladder stores.Causes of GallstonesSeveral causes are there for gallstones. They are –
- Too much cholesterol in your bile
- Too much bilirubin in your bile
- Concentrated bile due to a full gallbladder
- Your Weight
- Your diet
- Your genesSymptoms of GallstonesGallstones result pain in the upper right abdomen. You may experience gallbladder pain if your diet is of high fat like fried foods. But this pain lasts for few hours. Other symptoms like biliary colic are –
- indigestionRemember gallstones do not cause any pain but when they block the movement of bile from the gall bladder, pain occurs.Diagnosis of GallstonesDoctors normally do a physical examination like checking the eyes, skin for visible colour changes. For too much bilirubin, a yellowish tint could be the sign for jaundice. Treatments of GallstonesTreatments are not required if the gallstones are not causing any pain. Often it has been seen that a person is passing the gallstones without even noticing it. But if pain occurs then doctors will suggest for surgery. If there is any risk for surgery then a drainage tube could be placed into the gallbladder through the skin.To conclude, it is always better to prevent than to cure. So maintain a healthy weight, avoid rapid weight loss, get regular exercise, eat anti inflammatory diet and take supplements which are prescribed by the doctor.
- indigestionRemember gallstones do not cause any pain but when they block the movement of bile from the gall bladder, pain occurs.Diagnosis of GallstonesDoctors normally do a physical examination like checking the eyes, skin for visible colour changes. For too much bilirubin, a yellowish tint could be the sign for jaundice. Treatments of GallstonesTreatments are not required if the gallstones are not causing any pain. Often it has been seen that a person is passing the gallstones without even noticing it. But if pain occurs then doctors will suggest for surgery. If there is any risk for surgery then a drainage tube could be placed into the gallbladder through the skin.To conclude, it is always better to prevent than to cure. So maintain a healthy weight, avoid rapid weight loss, get regular exercise, eat anti inflammatory diet and take supplements which are prescribed by the doctor.