Is Gallbladder Stone a Serious Problem?

 

Gallbladder stones​ or gallstones might not appear to be a major problem in the beginning. In fact, some people might have them even without knowing, because of the absence of any kind of symptoms. But for others, these solid and hardened deposits in the gallbladder might come up with some painful and serious health complications.  Whether gallbladder stones are serious or not depends from person to person, and case to case. It largely relies on the size, number, and symptoms of gallstones. In some cases, gallstones can be harmless, and stay silently in the bladder for years, however, in some other cases, they might block the bile duct which might lead to sharp pain, nausea, vomiting, and even some serious infections. The most concerning aspect is that mostly the symptoms of these gallstones can appear suddenly out of nowhere, in the form of intense pain in the upper right part of the abdomen which might last for hours. While some people get relief from gallstones through lifestyle changes, others need to undergo Gallbladder stone removal surgery in order to treat this condition. In this article we will discuss in detail gallstones and whether they are a serious problem or not.

What are gallbladder stones?

Gallbladder stones are hardened and concentrated crystals of bile juice formed in the bile duct or gallbladder. The bile is formed in the liver and carried to different parts of the body through bile ducts. Gallstones are also called bile stones. These gallstones might not necessarily cause a problem for a patient, in fact, some of the patients might have it and not even know about it. However, in some other cases, where these Gallbladder stones​ start to travel through the bile ducts and get stuck somewhere in the gallbladder, they can clog up the biliary tract and thus, cause pain and other serious problems. In such cases, gallbladder stones might cause several symptoms like sweating, rapid heartbeat, fever, tenderness, pain in the upper right abdomen, dark-colored urine and stool, and yellowing of the skin and eyes.

Which complications can be caused by gallstones?

Apart from pain and discomfort, Gallbladder stones​ can potentially cause a wide range of other complications including:

1. Gallbladder Inflammation: If a gallbladder stone gets stuck in the neck of the gallbladder, it might cause inflammation of the gallbladder,in a condition known as cholecystitis. This condition can cause severe pain as well as fever.
2. Pancreatic Duct Blockage: The pancreatic duct is a tube that starts from the pancreas and gets connected to the bile duct before entering the duodenum. This tube allows the flow of the digestive juices which makes digestion easier. A blockage due to a gallstone can cause inflammation in the pancreas. This condition, called pancreatitis, causes very severe abdominal pain and often requires immediate hospitalization.
3. Common Bile Duct Blockage: If proper Gallbladder stones treatment​ is not provided, gallstones can create a blockage in the bile duct which is responsible for carrying the bile juice from the gallbladder to the small intestine. This results in severe pain and jaundice, while also causing bile duct infection.
4. Gallbladder cancer: People who have a repeated history of gallbladder stones are at higher risk of developing gallbladder cancer. However, cancer is very rare, hence, even though the chances are raised, effectively, the likelihood of actually developing gallbladder cancer is very small.

How can one prevent gallbladder stones?

There are many effective lifestyle and dietary modifications that can prevent gallbladder stones and reduce the risk of developing this condition. Some of them include:

1. Not skipping meals: People should stick to their eating routine and timings, and try not to skip meals since fasting and skipping meals raises the risk of developing Gallbladder stones​.
2. Losing weight gradually: If a patient is obese and has been advised to lose weight, they must keep in mind to shred the weight slowly, avoiding rapid weight loss. The aim should be to lose not more than half to one kilogram per week. Losing weight rapidly can also increase a person’s risk of developing gallbladder stones.
3. High-fiber diet: Consuming fiber-rich foods such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables can help reduce the risk of developing gallstones.
4. Maintaining a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese highly increases the risk of developing gallbladder stones. A person should make sure that their weight is within the ideal range, by managing the calorie intake accordingly.

If you are looking for the Best hospital for gallbladder stone​ or the Best doctor for gallbladder stone​, Sohana Hospital might be the right choice for you. Sohana Hospital Mohali boasts of the world’s most advanced cutting-edge technology and North India’s leading Gastroenterologists and Surgeons who provide the Best treatment for gallbladder stone, in the most patient-centric approach. Book your appointment today and take the first step towards a healthy and pain-free future!