Let's learn more about gallstones. You should also know these things.

Have you ever heard of "gallstones"? Maybe one of your family members or a friend has had this condition. Simply put, these are hard, stone-like pieces that form inside your gallbladder, a small organ located just below your liver. Your doctor may also call this condition "cholelithiasis."

The function of the gallbladder and how stones form

Okay, let's first see what happens to the gallbladder. The main function of the gallbladder is to temporarily store the 'bile', or the liquid we call `(bile), which helps us digest the food we eat, especially fatty foods. This `bile` is produced in the liver. In addition to helping us digest food, this `bile` is also used to remove waste products such as excess cholesterol and bilirubin from the body.

So, if for some reason the amount of cholesterol or bilirubin in this `bile` increases, or if the balance of chemicals in `bile` is lost, they collect and harden into stones. That's what we call gallstones. These stones can be as small as a grain of sand, or as large as a golf ball. Some people may have one large stone, while others may have hundreds of small stones.

Main types of gallstones

Gallstones can be divided into two main types.

How do you know if you have gallstones? (Symptoms)

As I mentioned before, many people have stones but don't show any symptoms. Symptoms only occur if a stone blocks the bile duct that carries bile out of the gallbladder. This is called a ``gallbladder attack'' or ``biliary colic''. Symptoms may include:

• Sudden and severe pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, below the ribs.
• Abdominal pain spreading to the right shoulder or mid-back.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Other digestive problems such as bloating, indigestion, heartburn, and flatulence.

What is the nature of this pain?

The pain of a gallstone can be very severe. Some say it feels like a knife stabbing them. The pain is so severe that some people think it's a heart attack.

• The pain usually starts after a fatty meal.
• Sometimes the pain can be severe enough to wake you up at night.
• The pain can last from 15 minutes to several hours.
• Once the stone is removed from the area where it is stuck, the pain will automatically go away.

Who is at higher risk of developing gallstones?

Some people are more likely to develop gallstones than others. Here are some of the risk factors:

• Being a woman: Women are more likely to develop stones than men.
• Being over 40 years of age.
• Obesity: People who are overweight are at higher risk.
• Family history: If someone in your family has had gallstones, you are more likely to develop them too.
• Pregnancy: The risk may be slightly increased due to hormones secreted during pregnancy.
• Rapid weight loss: Losing a large amount of weight in a short period of time is also a cause.
• Some medical conditions: Conditions such as diabetes, Crohn's disease, and cirrhosis of the liver.
• Diet: Eating a diet high in oil, cholesterol, and low in fiber.
• Certain medications: For those taking birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy.

How can the doctor confirm that this is a gallstone?

After listening to your symptoms and examining you, your doctor may perform several tests to confirm the condition.

• Abdominal Ultrasound: This is the most common and easiest test to perform. It can clearly see if there are stones in your gallbladder and bile ducts.
• Blood tests: These can help check for infections, bile duct blockage, or other problems.
• Other scans: In some cases, you may be referred for specialized scans such as a `CT` scan, `MRCP` (Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography), and `HIDA` scan.

What are the treatments for gallstones?

Treatment depends on whether you have symptoms or not.

However, if you experience pain and other symptoms, you may need treatment. The most common treatment is surgery to completely remove the gallbladder.

Surgical removal of the gallbladder (Cholecystectomy)

You may be wondering, "Oh, can you live with your gallbladder removed?"Yes, you can without any problems. When the gallbladder is gone, the bile produced in the liver flows directly into the small intestine. The body gets used to this after a while.

Surgery is performed in two main ways:

1. Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: This is the most common procedure today. A few small incisions are made in the abdomen, a camera and special instruments are inserted, and the gallbladder is removed. This procedure can be performed quickly, and the hospital stay is usually as short as one day.

2. Open Cholecystectomy: This is a procedure where the gallbladder is removed through a larger incision in the abdomen. This is done if there is a severe infection or other complications. It takes a while to recover.

Treatments that can be done without surgery

For someone who has other medical conditions that make surgery impossible, other treatment options may be considered.

• Medications: There are medications that can dissolve cholesterol stones. But these are only used for very small stones. And treatment can take months, even years. Once treatment is stopped, stones can recur.
• ERCP method: A method called Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is used to remove stones stuck in the bile ducts.

Can gallstones be prevented?

Although we cannot change some risk factors (such as age and family history), we can reduce this risk by changing our lifestyle.

• Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity is a major risk factor. However, don't lose a lot of weight all at once. Lose weight gradually, in a healthy way.
• Eat a balanced diet: Reduce fast foods and processed foods that are high in oil, fat, and sugar. Include more fiber-rich foods like vegetables, fruits, and whole grains in your diet.
• Exercise regularly: Engage in exercise, such as walking, for at least 30 minutes a day.
• Don't skip meals: Fasting for hours at a time can increase the risk of bile accumulating in the gallbladder and forming stones. So don't skip your main meals.