People coping with obesity have higher risk of getting gallstones. Know more about what are gallstones, its symptoms and treatments. Obesity exposes human body to many risks and disorders. It not only affects physic but also mental balance. Most of the heart diseases are associated with obesity. However it is possible to cope with obesity with the help of new methods and techniques like surgery, yoga, water therapy, etc. Obesity affects different organs of body as well as it makes body less flexible. One such part affected by obesity is gallbladder. Though there are several other causes of gallstones, an obese is at higher risk by it. Read on and know more about gallstones, its symptoms and its treatments. In this articleWhat are gallstones?Symptoms of gallstonesTreatments for gallstones What are gallstones? Gallstones are solid mass formed out of cholesterol. It is developed in the gallbladder. It is caused as result of deficiency of fiber content in food and high intake of fast food. As a result it is difficult for body to maintain solubility of cholesterol. Gallstones which get trapped in bile duct are more risky. Thus early diagnosis and treatment is critical. Gallbladder is situated in the upper right side of an abdomen, below the liver. It is small in shape and appears like a bulb. It contains liquid known as bile which is produced by liver. Gallstones are formed whengallbladder is unable to recycle the bile or a particular protein is high in bile, forcing cholesterol to form solid masses or when cholesterol content is high in bile. Symptoms of gallstones Have a quick look at the symptoms of gallstones causing gallbladder attack. This attack is due to the blockage in the gallbladder caused by gallstones. Such attack occurs unexpectedly or after having heavy meals at night. However they may not show any symptoms in the initial stage or when they are very small. In such case gallstone is referred as silent stone. Prolonged abdominal pain Gas, nausea and bloating Indigestion Pain in upper and middle abdomen Pain in right shoulder blade Fever accompanied by pain Treatments for gallstones If the person is facing frequent gallbladder attacks, gallbladder is removed. If symptoms are not observed doctors may not advice removal of gallbladder. Apart from the treatments mentioned below, researchers are still finding new and better ways to treat gallstones. Have a look at the treatments for gallstones. Surgery The old method to remove gallbladder through surgery is known as cholecystectomy. Removal of gallbladder does not affect human body, humans can live normally. After removal of the gallbladder the bile is diverted to the small intestine directly. There are two distinct surgeries as follows. a) Laparoscopic surgery - this surgery is used most of the times to treat gallbladder disorder. As this surgery is minimal invasive, it involves less pain. Patients require staying in hospital for not more than one night after surgery. However patients should take rest for 4 to 5 days before indulging in day to day activities. b) Open surgery - this is an old method of removing gallbladder. Is not as comfortable as laparoscopic surgery. The reason for discomfort is that it is done through 5 to 8 inches of incision. However the pain can be cured with the help of medications. Patients need to be hospitalised for 3 to 8 days. Patients also require several weeks to recover and get back to normal routine. c) Blocked bile ducts surgery - this surgery is undertaken to treat a patient where gallstones get trapped in bile ducts. The surgery involves two stages, one for the removal of gallbladder and other to avoid the reoccurrence of symptoms. Other treatments Other treatments for gallstones include all non-surgical treatments which can be risky. These treatments may not permanently cure the disorder. It may also show symptoms post treatment. Patient may have to continue taking medicines for several years. Here are some of the non-surgical treatments for gallstone. Taking oral drugs is involved in treatment known as oral dissolution therapy. This treatment helps to dissolve the gallstones. However new gallstones are formed if treatment is discontinued. Dissolving gallstone is also done through injecting chemicals directly into gallbladder. This treatment is known as contact dissolution therapy. Transmission of powerful shock waves through a recommended instrument helps breaking gallstones. This treatment is referred as extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy. You require to know the in and out of this diseases to avoid complications in future. However you need not worry as it can be completely treated with the help of surgeries. To stay away form this disorder you need to take essential measures to prevent obesity. Nevertheless obesity is not the only cause of this disease, excessive reduction in weight is also one of its causes. People suffering from diabetes and taking cholesterol lowering drugs may also get affected by gallstone. However it is not very difficult to deal with it. All you need is courage to face it and a positive attitude.
People coping with obesity have higher risk of getting gallstones. Know more about what are gallstones, its symptoms and treatments. Obesity exposes human body to many risks and disorders. It not only affects physic but also mental balance. Most of the heart diseases are associated with obesity. However it is possible to cope with obesity with the help of new methods and techniques like surgery, yoga, water therapy, etc.
Obesity affects different organs of body as well as it makes body less flexible. One such part affected by obesity is gallbladder. Though there are several other causes of gallstones, an obese is at higher risk by it. Read on and know more about gallstones, its symptoms and its treatments.
What are gallstones?
Gallstones are solid mass formed out of cholesterol. It is developed in the gallbladder. It is caused as result of deficiency of fiber content in food and high intake of fast food. As a result it is difficult for body to maintain solubility of cholesterol. Gallstones which get trapped in bile duct are more risky. Thus early diagnosis and treatment is critical.
Gallbladder is situated in the upper right side of an abdomen, below the liver. It is small in shape and appears like a bulb. It contains liquid known as bile which is produced by liver. Gallstones are formed whengallbladder is unable to recycle the bile or a particular protein is high in bile, forcing cholesterol to form solid masses or when
cholesterol content is high in bile.
Symptoms of gallstones
Have a quick look at the symptoms of gallstones causing gallbladder
attack. This attack is due to the blockage in the gallbladder caused by gallstones. Such attack occurs unexpectedly or after having heavy meals at night. However they may not show any symptoms in the initial stage or when they are very small. In such case gallstone is referred as 'silent stone'.
- Prolonged abdominal pain
- Gas, nausea and bloating
- Indigestion
- Pain in upper and middle abdomen
- Pain in right shoulder blade
- Fever accompanied by pain
Treatments for gallstones
If the person is facing frequent gallbladder attacks, gallbladder is removed. If symptoms are not observed doctors may not advice removal of gallbladder. Apart from the treatments mentioned below, researchers are still finding new and better ways to treat gallstones. Have a look at the treatments for gallstones.
Surgery The old method to remove gallbladder through surgery is known as cholecystectomy. Removal of gallbladder does not affect human body, humans can live normally. After removal of the gallbladder the bile is diverted to the small intestine directly. There are two distinct surgeries as follows.
a) Laparoscopic surgery - this surgery is used most of the times to treat gallbladder disorder. As this surgery is minimal invasive, it involves less pain. Patients require staying in hospital for not more than one night after surgery. However patients should take rest for 4 to 5 days before indulging in day to day activities.
b) Open surgery - this is an old method of removing gallbladder. Is not as comfortable as laparoscopic surgery. The reason for discomfort is that it is done through 5 to 8 inches of incision. However the pain can be cured with the help of medications. Patients need to be hospitalised for 3 to 8 days. Patients also require several weeks to recover and get back to normal routine.
c) Blocked bile ducts surgery - this surgery is undertaken to treat a patient where gallstones get trapped in bile ducts. The surgery involves two stages, one for the removal of gallbladder and other to avoid the reoccurrence of symptoms.
Other treatments Other treatments for gallstones include all non-surgical treatments which can be risky. These treatments may not permanently cure the disorder. It may also show symptoms post treatment. Patient may have to continue taking medicines for several years. Here are some of the non-surgical treatments for gallstone.
- Taking oral drugs is involved in treatment known as oral dissolution therapy. This treatment helps to dissolve the gallstones. However new gallstones are formed if treatment is discontinued.
- Dissolving gallstone is also done through injecting chemicals directly into gallbladder. This treatment is known as contact dissolution therapy.
- Transmission of powerful shock waves through a recommended instrument helps breaking gallstones. This treatment is referred as extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy.
You require to know the in and out of this diseases to avoid complications in future. However you need not worry as it can be completely treated with the help of surgeries. To stay away form this disorder you need to take essential measures to prevent obesity. Nevertheless obesity is not the only cause of this disease, excessive reduction in weight is also one of its causes. People suffering from diabetes and taking
cholesterol lowering drugs may also get affected by gallstone. However it is not very difficult to deal with it. All you need is courage to face it and a positive attitude.