Gallstone is the general name for the hard masses formed in the gallbladder. Gallstones can form due to the accumulation of substances such as cholesterol and bilirubin. These stones can grow over time and block the bile ducts, leading to serious health issues. Gallstones manifest themselves with symptoms like nausea, pain, and jaundice. Early diagnosis is important as failure to treat them can lead to complications.
What is a Gallstone?
A gallstone or gallstones located in the bile ducts are defined as crystalline masses containing bile pigments, cholesterol, and calcium salts; if stones are larger than 3 mm, they are called gallstones; if smaller than 3 mm, they are known as bile sludge. Gallstones or bile sludge can cause severe pain in individuals.
What Causes Gallstones?
Gallstones typically form as a result of the imbalanced crystallization of substances like cholesterol and bilirubin found in bile. Among the causes are genetic predisposition, liver diseases, obesity, rapid weight loss, high-fat diet, and pregnancy. Common causes include:
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High cholesterol level: The increase in cholesterol levels in bile is one of the main reasons for stone formation.
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Insufficient emptying of the bile: Irregular contractions of the gallbladder may cause the bile fluid to condense and create a foundation for crystal formation.
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Increase in bilirubin: Liver diseases or certain blood disorders may trigger the accumulation of bilirubin, which can lead to pigment gallstones.
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Rapid weight loss, obesity, advanced age, female gender, pregnancy, hormonal therapies, and familial predisposition are also risk factors.
Who is at Risk for Gallstones?
While gallstones can affect anyone, some people may have a higher likelihood of experiencing this issue.
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Women: Women are at a higher risk of developing gallstones compared to men. This may be due to the influence of estrogen hormone on bile content, facilitating the formation of cholesterol stones.
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Individuals over 40: The incidence of gallstones may increase with age. Therefore, in individuals over 40, complaints in the abdominal area should consider the possibility of gallstones.
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People with obesity: Individuals with a high body mass index may produce more cholesterol in the liver, which can increase the risk of stone formation.
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Those who lose weight quickly: Rapid weight loss through crash diets or surgical methods can increase the frequency of crystallization and stone formation in bile.
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Pregnant women: Changes in hormone levels during pregnancy slow down bile emptying, facilitating stone formation.
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Those with high cholesterol, diabetes, and insulin resistance: These diseases associated with metabolic syndrome can negatively affect bile content.
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Those with a family history of gallstones: Genetic predisposition significantly increases the risk of developing gallstones.
What are the Symptoms of Gallstones?
Gallstones may not show symptoms for a long time. However, when stones move into the bile duct or impede bile flow, a range of digestive system issues may arise:
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Sudden onset pain in the upper right abdomen or in the center of the abdomen
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Pain radiating to the back or right shoulder
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Indigestion, bloating, nausea after fatty meals
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Vomiting
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Loss of appetite
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Fever, chills
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Yellowing of the whites of the eyes and skin
How is Gallstone Surgery Performed?
The procedure of removing the sac located under the liver in the upper abdominal region, where bile is stored, is a gallbladder surgery performed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy technique. This operation takes about 1-2 hours and is an organ where the bile necessary for digestion is produced and stored in the liver.
There are two types of gallbladder surgery:
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
The method often preferred for gallbladder surgery is laparoscopic cholecystectomy, performed with small incisions. A narrow tube called a laparoscope is inserted into the abdomen, which contains light and a camera. The physician uses special tools to make another small incision to remove the gallbladder.
Open Cholecystectomy
The surgeon makes a larger incision in the abdomen to remove the gallbladder. The patient is monitored in the hospital for several days afterward. Individuals with bleeding disorders, serious gallbladder problems, obese individuals, and women in the last three months of pregnancy are treated with open gallbladder surgery.
How to Prevent Gallstone Formation?
Adopting a healthy lifestyle is essential to prevent gallstone formation. There are several precautions to consider in this regard:
Adopt Balanced and Regular Eating Habits
Foods high in cholesterol, fatty, and processed can directly affect bile content. Choosing a diet rich in fiber and balanced daily can help prevent stone formation.
Avoid Rapid Weight Loss
Losing too much weight in a short time can cause the liver to produce more cholesterol, which accumulates in the bile. This increases the risk of stone formation. Healthy and sustainable weight loss protects the bile system.
Engage in Regular Physical Activity
At least 150 minutes a week of brisk walking or similar exercises help support weight control and regulate metabolism. This prevents gallbladder sluggishness, allowing bile to be discharged more regularly.
Avoid Prolonged Fasting
Eating three main meals a day and small snacks if necessary can help the gallbladder work regularly. Prolonged fasting, on the other hand, can cause bile to condense and crystallize in the sac.
Keep Diabetes and Cholesterol Under Control
Blood sugar irregularities and high blood fats can affect bile content, facilitating stone formation. Individuals with diabetes or high cholesterol should have regular doctor check-ups.
Monitor During Pregnancy and Hormonal Periods
Increased estrogen levels during pregnancy can alter bile content, increasing the risk of stones. Extra attention should be paid to diet and physical activity during this period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do gallstones always show symptoms?
No, in some individuals, gallstones may progress completely silently and show no symptoms. This situation is usually detected incidentally during imaging for another condition.
Can gallstones recur?
If only the stones are removed without taking out the gallbladder, new stones may form over time. However, if the gallbladder is surgically removed, the risk of stone formation can be largely eliminated.
Do gallstones affect the liver?
Yes, if the stones block the bile duct, the bile may flow back into the liver. This can lead to elevated liver enzymes and serious complications such as jaundice.
What happens if gallstones are not treated?
If stones are not treated for a long time, they can cause inflammation in the gallbladder, bile duct obstruction, pancreatitis, and other serious health problems. These situations may require emergency intervention.