Gallstones / Choledicholithiatis
Gallstones, also called cholelithiasis are the most frequently occurring disease that affects your gallbladders. Under certain conditions, like high cholesterol or chronic liver disease, the bile can build up too much cholesterol or too much blood pigment. When this happens, they can turn into small stone-like material. They can range in size from a grain of sand to a golf ball. The bladder can make one large stone, hundreds of tiny stones, or both small and large stones. Gallstones are often harmless and asymptomatic but can also pose severe problems.
- Severe pain in the upper abdomen
- Pain in the back between the shoulder blades
- Pain in the right shoulder
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever and chills
- Jaundice
- Bloating of the abdomen
- Intolerance of fatty foods
- Belching or gas
- Indigestion
- Family history
- Women are more susceptible due to excess estrogen from pregnancy
- Obesity and diabetes
- Fasting
- Age – people over 40 are more likely to develop gallstones
- Rapid weight loss
- Ultrasound
- Cholecystography
- Blood tests
- CT scan
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
- Sphincterotomy
- Surgery
- Laparoscopic cholecystectomy(Gallbladder Removal)