Cholelithiasis

Table of Contents:

  1. What is cholelithiasis?
  2. Symptoms
  3. What are the causes?
  4. Prevention
  5. Treatment
  6. Medical specialists

What is cholelithiasis?

Cholelithiasis refers to the formation of stones (gallstones) inside the gallbladder. Gallstones are small stones made of cholesterol created in the gallbladder and although they do not usually present any problems at first, they can lead to various complications.

The stones are usually diagnosed accidentally, when an X-ray of the abdomen or an ultrasound is performed.

Gallstones are small stones created in the gallbladder.

What are the symptoms of cholelithiasis?

Most of the time, gallstones do not cause any symptoms and do not require treatment, however, if a gallstone becomes trapped in a duct within the gallbladder it can cause the following symptoms:

  • Constant, severe abdominal pain (called biliary colic).
  • Pain between the shoulders
  • Nausea and/or vomiting.

Occasionally, cholelithiasis can become more serious, especially if the gallstone blocks the flow of bile and can trigger the following symptoms:

  • Fever
  • More severe pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Jaundice
  • Lack of appetite

Causes of cholelithiasis

Although the causes of gallstones are not entirely clear, they are thought to occur when there is an imbalance in the composition of bile within the gallbladder. These imbalances are thought to occur when:

  • High levels of cholesterol are found in the gallbladder, which means that there is not enough bile to digest the amount of cholesterol in the gallbladder. Excess cholesterol turns into gallstones.
  • High levels of bilirubin are found in the gallbladder. Bilirubin is a breakdown that occurs when red blood cells break down. Excess bilirubin contributes to the formation of gallstones.
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Other factors associated with the occurrence of cholelithiasis are related to age, gender and physical condition. For that reason, this problem usually affects:

  • Women
  • People over 40 years of age
  • People who are overweight
  • People with a family history of gallstones

How can cholelithiasis be prevented?

Research indicates that weight loss and a healthy diet can help prevent the development of gallstones. A healthy diet, low in saturated fats, is recommended. This helps to reduce the intake of bad cholesterol that can cause gallstones to form. It is also recommended to avoid consuming large amounts of alcohol. Obesity is also a risk factor for developing gallstones.

Therefore, it is highly recommended to maintain a healthy weight by eating healthy and exercising regularly. However, losing weight through low-calorie diets is not recommended, as they have been linked to the disruption of bile production and therefore may increase the likelihood of developing gallstones.

What treatment should be followed?

If gallstones do not produce symptoms, you most likely do not need treatment, but it will be recommended that you actively monitor the condition and revisit a specialist if any symptoms occur. However, those experiencing symptoms will likely have the following treatment options:

  • Gallbladder removal operation (cholecystectomy)- Gallstones can recur, so removing the gallbladder completely is one way to ensure that gallstones do not recur. After removal, the bile goes directly from the liver to the small intestine.
  • Medications- There are certain medications designed to dissolve gallstones and are taken by mouth. These medications must be taken over a long period of time and are not always effective.

Specialist who treats cholelithiasis

The specialist who treats the formation of stones inside the gallbladder is the GI specialist or General Surgeon.