GALLSTONES: WHEN SHOULD YOU SEEK MEDICAL HELP?

Gastrosymptoms.com

Gastrosymptoms.com

It’s a common story. Just after enjoying a delicious meal, you feel a sudden and intense pain on the right side of your abdomen. The pain escalates and maybe travels into the shoulder and back.  Perhaps you suddenly feel nauseous and nothing you do makes you feel better. What could be causing this abdominal pain?  A likely answer is gallstones causing inflammation and blockage in your gallbladder.

Gastrosymptoms.com

Gallstones are hard masses of cholesterol and other matter that build up in the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small organ located under the liver, at the base of the ribcage on the right side of the abdomen.  The gallbladder stores bile from the liver and when needed, the body moves the bile from the gallbladder and into the small intestine where the bile aids in the digestive process.  Bile helps digestion by removing fats and it also helps eliminate certain waste products (such as excess cholesterol and bilirubin) from the body. While helpful, the gallbladder is not necessary; if it is removed, the bile can move directly from the liver into the small intestine.

Once formed, gallstones can block any of the ducts that aid in the normal passage of bile from the gallbladder into the small intestine.  If gallstones develop, these stone-like pieces can cause inflammation in the gallbladder, ducts, and in severe and rare cases, the liver.

What are gallstones?

Gastrosymptoms.com

For some people, gallstones go unnoticed.  But for many other people, gallstones can cause some serious problems.  Mild symptoms may include nausea or gas, especially after eating at night.  The most common complaint from gallstones for most people who need treatment, is a very notable intense and severe pain  that comes on suddenly and increases rapidly.   There may also be intense pain in the shoulders and upper back.  The pain often lasts for several hours and it can be very difficult to alleviate the symptoms.  Gallstones can also lead to other symptoms that indicate a serious gallstone problem, such as yellowing of the eyes and complexion, and causing high fever.

What are the symptoms of gallstones?

Gastrosymptoms.com

Gallstones are incredibly common. About 25 million people in the United States have gallstonesand about one million people are diagnosed annually. Being female significantly raises the risk of developing gallstones; women of childbearing age are twice as likely to develop gallstonesthan similar aged males.  This may be due to the fact that estrogen naturally pushes the liver to remove more cholesterol from the bloodstream and into the gallbladder where it is made into bile.  Additionally, there is some evidence that being on hormone replacement therapy can also increase the risk of these cholesterol stones in the gallbladder.  Having a family history of gallstones, being over age 40, and obesity also increase the risk of developing gallstones.

What are the risk factors for gallstones?

Gastrosymptoms.com

In addition to recurring severe pain caused by untreated gallstones, individuals with a history of gallstones do have an increased risk of developing gallbladder cancer.  This type of cancer, while very rare, does cause about 2,000 deaths per year in the United States.  Astonishingly, 3 out of 4 people diagnosed with gallbladder cancer have gallstones at diagnosis.  In addition to other factors, having a long-lasting infection and prolonged inflammation in the gallbladder is also a risk factor for developing cancer

Are gallstones serious?

Gastrosymptoms.com

If you have symptoms of gallstones, it is wise to see a physician. Gallbladder symptoms are similar to the symptoms of heart attack for some people, and it is important to quickly determine what is causing the problem.  In order to properly diagnose gallstones, a physician will usually order an ultrasound or computerized tomography (CT) scan, which can reveal the gallstones in the gallbladder.  The healthcare provider may also order a test that uses dye to highlight the ducts running from the gallbladder to see if there is blockage from a gallstone.  In addition, blood tests may be required to determine whether there are any other serious complications being caused by the inflammation in the gallbladder.

How are gallstones diagnosed?

Gastrosymptoms.com

Treatment for gallstones is easy and permanent.  Surgical removal of the gallbladder eliminates the risk of recurring gallstones.  Removing the gallbladder does not affect the body’s ability to digest food and it is not necessarily for the body to function.  For the rare individual who cannot undergo surgery, medication may be used to try to dissolve the gallstones, though this process is lengthy and often unsuccessful.  If you have any of the above-mentioned symptoms be sure to call your GI doctor. These conditions can often be treated effectively with timely recognition, management and appropriate therapy.

What is the treatment for gallstones?

Call Your GI DoctorIf you have any of the above mentioned symptoms be sure to call your GI doctor. These conditions can often be treated effectively with timely recognition, management and appropriate therapy.

Visit this Link to Find a Gastroenterologist in your Area

http://gastrosymptoms.com/find-a-gastroenterologist-in-your-area/