Symptoms and Treatment of Gallstones

Gallstones

Gallstones are formed in the gall bladder from solid materials found in a liquid called `gall'. Gall is a waste product, which, after excretion from the liver, is stored in the gall bladder before passage into the duodenum. Gall contains cholesterol, and a yellowy green pigment called `bile' which, after passage through the bowel, changes to brown, giving the stools their characteristic colour.

Bile contains `bile salts', needed for fat digestion. After eating a meal, the gall bladder contracts, expelling bile into the intestine, and if gall stones are present, severe pain known as biliary colic results.

Gallstones are common, affecting nearly 10% of the population, yet only half of these get symptoms. They are more common in the older person, and are three times more common in women. Women with large families and those who are overweight are more at risk.

Movement of gallstones out of the gall bladder into the narrow tube connecting it to the duodenum produces biliary colic. This severe stabbing pain is felt at the edge of the lower right ribs, and sometimes between the shoulder blades. The pain is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

Gallstones may block the gall bladder and produce cholecystitis inflammation of the gallbladder, resulting in jaundice and a fever.

Treatment
Gallstone treatments:
`*Dissolve 'em.' Tablets taken three times daily for up to 2 years, may help. This is an expensive treatment and 50% of those helped can suffer a recurrence of stones.
>`*Blast 'em.' Ultrasound or `shock waves' shatter the stones into small fragments. Only 1 in 5 patients are suitable for this treatment, and many have a recurrence.
`*Lift 'em.' A tiny telescope inserted via a small skin incision into the gall bladder, enables the gallstones to be broken down and extracted. Stones can return after this.
>`*Whisk 'em.' A small basket device, inserted through a tiny incision into the gallbladder, is rotated at 30,000 revs/min to mince the stone into a paste which is then sucked out. Only a local anaesthetic is used in this procedure.
`*Whip it out!' Removal of the gallbladder, or cholecystectomy is one of the commonest operations in the UK (30,000/yr). It is often performed using `keyhole surgery', where small 1/2 inch incisions allow a `micro' video camera into the abdominal interior, and allows the gall bladder to be removed via one of these tiny cuts. Most `keyhole' patients are discharged the day after surgery and experience little discomfort.

Further information can be obtained from Core:http://www.digestivedisorders.org.uk
IMPORTANT NOTICE : This content is from the Dr Chris Steele personal archive and is provided for convenience only. Information contained here may no longer agree with the most up to date medical advice. Please check with a medical professional before taking any action.

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