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| Obesity | |||
| Prevalence (home) | |||
| Definition | |||
| Causes | |||
| Why Be Worried? | |||
| Psycho-Social Factors | |||
| Medical Complications | |||
| Hypertension | |||
| Diabetes | |||
| Cholesterol | |||
| Fatty Liver | |||
| Metabolic Syndrome | |||
| Cancer | |||
| Osteoarthritis | |||
| Gallstones | |||
| Heart Attacks/Strokes | |||
| Sleep Apnea | |||
| Medical Treatments | |||
| Gimmicks & Low Carbs | |||
| FAQ's | |||
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| Weight Management Programs | |||
| For Patients | |||
| For Injured Workers | |||
| For Case Managers | |||
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| Eating Disorders | |||
| Compulsive Overeating | Diagnostic Criteria | ||
| Eating Behaviors & Moods | |||
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| Resources | |||
| Patient Education | |||
| Obesity Education Programs (first airing June, 2004) | Consulting & Med-legal Asst | ||
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| Cigna Hall of Shame | |||
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| Accessibility/Section 508 | |||
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| Office Location/Appts. | |||
| Michael D. Myers, M.D.,Inc. | |||
| 10601 Walker Street, Suite 250 | |||
| Cypress, CA (U.S.) 90630 | |||
| Voice: (562) 493-2266 | |||
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Gallstones (Cholelithiasis)
What are gallstones?
Gallstones (cholelithiasis) are stones that form in the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ that lies under the liver in your upper right abdomen. The gallbladder stores bile, a substance that helps digest fat and also carries away waste products from the liver. Bile is produced by the liver and contains many compounds, including cholesterol. Most gallstones are made of cholesterol, but other compounds can also cause gallstones. Usually acids in bile keep cholesterol from forming into stones. If the amount of cholesterol in the bile increases beyond the ability of acids to maintain the cholesterol in suspension, the cholesterol crystallizes and forms a stone. You thus have a stone in the gallbladder ("gallstones"). If you are overweight, diabetic, have high blood levels of cholesterol and/or fats (triglycerides), you increase your risk of developing gallstones.
What is a gallbladder attack?
When a gallstone lodges in the bile ducts (the connection of the liver to the digestive track) or when a stone moves within the gallbladder, spasms occur. When these occur, the liver and the gallbladder cease to function properly. You will generally develop some of these symptoms:- Severe attacks of pain in the
upper right part of the abdomen that may last for hours.
- Fever and chills.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Yellowing of the skin (jaundice) in severe cases.
How are gallstones diagnosed?
A good history and physical exam performed by your physician are key to the diagnosis. Tests that are usually performed include:- Ultrasound of the abdomen.
- Blood tests looking for liver inflammation and jaundice.
How are gallstones treated?
One nonsurgical way to treat smaller cholesterol stones that have not calcified (hardened) is with a medication that can dissolve them. However, the stones may recur after a few years; therefore the medication has to be taken for a prolonged period of time. These medications may themselves cause liver problems. If you have symptomatic gallstones, you probably will need surgery to remove your gallbladder. Often, a less invasive surgical procedure called a "laparoscopic cholecystectomy" can be performed. With this procedure, an instrument called a laparoscope is inserted into the abdomen and the gallbladder is removed with it through a small incision. Although it is a smaller incision than a standard gallbladder operation, it is still a surgery and complications can occur.What can I do to help prevent gallstones?
- Maintain a normal weight.
- Decrease your intake of high fat
foods.
- If you have high cholesterol or
triglycerides, get appropriate treatment.
- Control your diabetes (if diabetic).
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| Updated:
28 May 2004. Copyright © 1996-2004 Michael D. Myers, M.D., Inc. All rights reserved. |
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The above information is for general purposes only and should not be construed as definitive or binding medical advice. Because each person is medically different, individuals should consult their own personal physicians for specific information and/or treatment recommendations.