How do gallstones form?
gallstones (or gallstones) are small capsules that form in gallbladder due to imbalances in the composition of gallbladder - such as excess cholesterol, bilirubin or lack of bile salts. Some factors that increase the risk of gallstones include:
- A diet high in fat, sugar, low in fiber
- Obesity or weight loss too quickly
- Less exercise
- Genetics
- Hormonal changes, such as during pregnancy, taking birth control pills or hormone therapy
According to Dr. Manoj Gupta (Head of the Department of Gastroenterology and liver Transplant Surgery, PSRI Hospital, India): Fatty foods such as red meat, fried foods, dairy butter... can stimulate a tightly coated gallbladder, causing pain if there are stones inside. Sudden weight loss or prolonged fasting also increases the risk of gallstones because it hinders the emptying of the gallbladder.
In addition, excess estrogen from birth control pills or pregnancy can also increase cholesterol levels in the gallbladder and reduce gallbladder mobility two factors that can lead to stones.
Difficulty in breathing may be the first sign
gallstones are often manifested by vague symptoms, easily confused with common digestive problems. Initial signs may include:
- Feeling full, persistent indigestion
- Nausea, especially after eating a lot of fat
- Feeling full quickly after a few meals
- Discomfort with the upper right abdomen, sometimes spreading to the back or right shoulder
Because symptoms are unclear, many people often ignore or self-treat with digestive drugs, notes Dr. Gupta. Only when the stone blocked the gallbladder causing acute inflammation did the patient discover it, but by then it was too late.
When should you see a doctor?
If you often experience indigestion after greasy meals, prolonged bloating, nausea of unknown cause, or a ringing pain in the right abdomen - that is the time to think about the risk of gallstones.
Some serious signs that need emergency care include:
- Severe, sudden abdominal pain
- High fever, chills
- Golden skin or yellow eyes
- Continuous vomiting
At this time, the patient needs to be examined and have an abdominal ultrasound, this is a popular and accurate method to detect gallstones.
Can gallstones go away on their own?
In some cases, if the stone is small and does not cause symptoms, the doctor may recommend regular monitoring without surgery. Some drugs such as ursodeoxycholic acid can help break down cholesterol stones, but need to be used long-term and not effective in all cases. However, it is important to change your lifestyle:
- Eat healthy, low in fat, rich in fiber
Maintain a reasonable weight
- Avoid rapid weight loss or prolonged fasting
