Gallstone disease or cholelithiasis is a condition characterized by sudden abdominal pain due to the formation of stones in the gallbladder. Gallstone disease can also occur in the bile ducts.
The gallbladder is a small organ located under the liver. This organ is able to produce and store bile which plays an important role in the digestive process, including digesting cholesterol contained in the food consumed. Most gallstones come from cholesterol deposits which eventually harden and form stones.
Most of the cholelithiasis (cholelithiasis) is mild and does not require hospitalization. However, if gallstones block the bile duct, treatment efforts need to be done immediately to prevent complications.
Symptoms of Gallstones
Mild conditions of gallstone disease or cholelithiasis rarely cause symptoms. The sufferer begins to feel symptoms if the bile duct is blocked due to the deposition of gallstones.
The main symptom of gallstones is sudden pain in the upper right or middle part of the abdomen. Abdominal pain can also be accompanied by other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dark urine, heartburn, and diarrhea.
Immediately consult a doctor if you experience the above symptoms or symptoms that appear accompanied by fever, chills, yellow eyes and skin, or abdominal pain that lasts for more than 8 hours.
Causes of the Formation of Gallstones
Gallstones are thought to arise from cholesterol and bilirubin deposits that accumulate in the gallbladder. Accumulation occurs when bile is unable to dissolve cholesterol and excess bilirubin is produced by the liver.
Several factors can also influence a person to develop gallstones, such as age, gender, heredity, unhealthy diet, diet that is too restrictive, and certain medical conditions.
Gallstone Diagnosis
The process of diagnosing gallstones begins with a physical and symptom examination. Next, the doctor will perform a scan test to determine the severity of the gallstones experienced by the patient.
Types of scan tests performed include abdominal ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, and endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP). Sometimes, blood tests are also done to detect diseases caused by gallstones.
Gallstones Treatment
If gallstones are small and cause no symptoms, then medical treatment is not necessary. However, if the patient feels symptoms of abdominal pain that appear suddenly, then treatment needs to be done immediately.
Treatment methods for gallstones include surgical removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) or medication. However, the use of drugs is rarely done because it is less effective in treating gallstones.
Gallstone Complications
Cholelithiasis rarely causes complications, but complications can occur if treatment is not appropriate. Complications include acute cholecystitis, cholangitis, acute pancreatitis, pancreatic pseudocyst or sepsis.
Gallstone Prevention
Cholelithiasis can be prevented by following a healthy and balanced diet. Eat foods high in fiber and avoid foods that are coconut milk, oily, nutty, or buttery.
In addition, efforts to prevent gallstones can also be done by limiting alcohol consumption, exercising regularly, increasing fluid consumption, and avoiding a diet that is too strict.