Symptoms of Gallstones

The primary symptom of gallstones is biliary cramp, which is sudden, intense pain on the right side of the belly. Normally it arises about 30 minutes to 1 hr after meals, but it happens after the digestion of the food ends, since the vesicle stops being stimulated to release the bile, explains best Nephrologist in Delhi.

However, these symptoms appear in a few cases and therefore it is possible that gallstones are discovered during a routine examination such as an abdominal ultrasound. Therefore, people at higher risk of gallstones should schedule a consultation with the gastroenterologist to monitor and identify the problem from the beginning, says Kidney Specialist in Noida.

The gallbladder is responsible for storing bile, a greenish fluid that helps in the digestion of fats. At the time of digestion, the bile passes through the bile ducts and reaches the intestine, but the presence of stones can block that path, causing inflammation of the gallbladder and pain.

It can also happen that the smaller stones manage to cross the bile ducts until they reach the intestine, where they will be eliminated together with the faeces.

What to do in case of suspected gallstones?

If symptoms arise, a general practitioner or gastroenterologist should be sought. If the pain is constant or if there is fever and vomiting in addition to pain, you should go to the Kidney Specialist in Noida. The diagnosis of stones in the gallbladder is usually made through an ultrasound. However, more specific tests such as MRI, scintigraphy or computed tomography can be used to identify whether the bladder is inflamed or not, says Nephrologist in Gurgaon.

What can cause gallstones?

The stones in the gallbladder are formed by alterations in the composition of the bile, and some factors that can cause these alterations are:

• Diet rich in fats and simple carbohydrates, such as white bread and soft drinks;
• Low-fibre diet, such as whole foods, fruits and vegetables;
• Diabetes;
• High cholesterol;
• Lack of physical activity;
• Arterial hypertension;
• Smoke;
• Prolonged use of contraceptives:
• Family history of people with stones in the gallbladder.

According to the Nephrologist in Noida, due to hormonal differences, women have a greater tendency to have gallstones than men.

Treatment for gallstones

The treatment for stones in the gallbladder should be guided by a gastroenterologist and is done according to the size of the stones and the presence or absence of symptoms. People with small stones or those who do not have symptoms usually take medicines to undo stones, such as Ursodiol, but it can take years until the stones disappear. On the other hand, people who usually suffer frequent symptoms are indicated surgery to remove the gallbladder. There is also the treatment with shock waves that break the stones of the gallbladder into smaller stones, just as it is also done in cases of kidney stones.

In addition to this, the patient should avoid eating high-fat foods such as eating red meat, butter, mayonnaise, fried foods, among others; and it is also very important to practice physical activity regularly, suggests Kidney Specialist in Gurgaon.