What are gallstones?
The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ located below the liver, whose function is to store bile, a liquid that aids in the digestion of fats. When bile contains excess cholesterol, bile pigments, or salts, it can crystallize and form gallstones, which can have health implications.
Symptoms of gallstones
Most cases are asymptomatic, meaning the patient does not show severe signs of the disease. However, in some cases, gallstones require immediate medical treatment. In these cases, the main symptoms are:
- abdominal pain: usually in the upper right part of the abdomen, which can extend to the back or shoulders. It can be mild or intense, lasting a few minutes or even hours
- nausea and vomiting: less frequent manifestations, but they can affect some individuals
- fever: in more severe cases
- jaundice: when bile cannot flow properly from the gallbladder to the small intestine due to an obstruction caused by stones, resulting in yellowing of the skin and eyes
- inflammation of the gallbladder: also known as cholecystitis, it can cause intense abdominal pain, fever, and nausea
- pancreatitis: when a stone moves from the bile duct to the pancreatic duct, blocking the flow of pancreatic enzymes and causing inflammation in the pancreas
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of gallstones can be made through imaging tests, such as abdominal ultrasound, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging.
If the symptoms are severe, the doctor may request blood tests to check for signs of inflammation or infection.
Treatment of gallstones
The treatment of gallstones depends on the severity of the symptoms and the presence of complications.
If the presence of gallstones causes abdominal pain or other severe symptoms, surgery to remove the gallbladder will be recommended. The most common procedure is laparoscopic cholecystectomy, performed using delicate instruments that do not require large incisions to access the surgical area.
Some cases of gallstones can be treated with medications that dissolve the stones. They are generally effective for small stones and may take several months to completely dissolve.
Prevention
Although it is not always possible to prevent the formation of gallstones, some measures can help reduce the risk of developing the disease:
- maintain a healthy weight
- have a balanced diet
- avoid prolonged fasting
- stay well hydrated
- have regular check-ups
References
BVS – Virtual Health Library. Ministry of Health. Gallstones (Biliary Calculi). 2023. Available at: https://bvsms.saude.gov.br/pedra-na-vesicula-calculo-biliar/.
SALOM, Andrés et al. Incidence of asymptomatic gallstones in patients with biliary complications. Revista Cirugía del Uruguay, v. 6, n. 1, 2022.
You might also like to read about:
Stomach cancer: a type of cancer that forms in the cells lining the inside of the stomach. Symptoms include abdominal pain and loss of appetite
Pancreatitis: inflammation of the organ located behind the lower part of the stomach (pancreas). The most common symptoms of pancreatitis are abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting
Gastritis: inflammation of the layer of cells that protects the stomach from acidic digestive juices (gastric mucosa). This inflammation can result in a burning or stinging sensation in the stomach, heartburn, and nausea