Gallstone

What is Gallstone?

Gallstones are hard, pebble-like pieces of material, usually made of cholesterol or bilirubin, that form in your gallbladder. Gallstones can range in size from a grain of sand to a golf ball. The gallbladder can make one large gallstone, hundreds of tiny stones, or both small and large stones.
At MGM Hospital, we are committed to providing compassionate and personalized care to our patients with gallstones. Our team of experts will work with each patient to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses their unique needs and preferences.

Symptoms

Immediately call us at our number if you have any Gallstone symptoms:

Sudden and rapidly intensifying pain in the upper right portion of your abdomen
Sudden and rapidly intensifying pain in the center of your abdomen, just below your breastbone
Back pain between your shoulder blades
Pain in your right shoulder
Nausea or vomiting

Causes

our healthcare team explains the following causes due to Gallstone:

Your bile contains too much cholesterol. Normally, your bile contains enough chemicals to dissolve the cholesterol excreted by your liver. But if your liver excretes more cholesterol than your bile can dissolve, the excess cholesterol may form into crystals and eventually into stones.
Your bile contains too much bilirubin. Bilirubin is a chemical that's produced when your body breaks down red blood cells. Certain conditions cause your liver to make too much bilirubin, including liver cirrhosis, biliary tract infections and certain blood disorders. The excess bilirubin contributes to gallstone formation.
Your gallbladder doesn't empty correctly. If your gallbladder doesn't empty completely or often enough, bile may become very concentrated, contributing to the formation of gallstones.

Risks

Our medical professionals at MGM Hospital CBD offer individualised guidance on how to lower your chances of having gallstones:

Don't skip meals.
Lose weight slowly.
Eat more high-fiber foods.
Maintain a healthy weight.

Prevention

Our healthcare staff explains the following gallstone prevention techniques:

Being female
Being age 40 or older
Being a Native American
Being a Hispanic of Mexican origin
Being overweight or obese
Being sedentary
Being pregnant
Eating a high-fat diet
Eating a high-cholesterol diet
Eating a low-fiber diet
Having a family history of gallstones
Having diabetes
Having certain blood disorders, such as sickle cell anemia or leukemia
Losing weight very quickly
Taking medications that contain estrogen, such as oral contraceptives or hormone therapy drugs
Having liver disease

How is it diagnosed?

Our healthcare providers have experience diagnosing and treating gallstones using a range of advanced imaging technologies and surgical techniques: If you’re experiencing symptoms of biliary colic, your healthcare provider will investigate with blood tests and imaging tests. Blood tests can detect inflammation, infection or jaundice.
At MGM Hospital, we offer advanced diagnostic services for gallstones. Our team of experienced doctors and specialists use the latest imaging technology to accurately diagnose gallstones and determine the most appropriate treatment approach based on the patient's specific needs.
To diagnose gallstones, a doctor may use a combination of methods, including: •Physical examination
•Imaging tests
•Blood tests

How is it treated?

At MGM Hospital CBD, we have a team of skilled surgeons who specialize in gallbladder surgery. We offer both laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy procedures, depending on the patient's needs and preferences. Laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive approach that may result in less pain, scarring, and a quicker recovery time than open surgery.
The treatment options for gallstones may include:
•Observation
•Medications
•Surgery

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure to remove the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small organ located below the liver, which plays a role in the digestive process by storing bile, a substance produced by the liver that helps in the digestion of fats.

Open cholecystectomy ERCP

Open cholecystectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the gallbladder through a large incision in the abdomen.
ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) is a procedure that uses an endoscope (a flexible tube with a camera and light) to examine the bile ducts and pancreas. During the procedure, a small catheter is inserted through the endoscope to inject a contrast agent into the bile ducts, allowing the doctor to view them on X-ray.