Gallstones, cholelithiasis

Gallstones

"Mute Stones"
Thirty to fifty percent of all gallstones make no complaints, they are called "silent stones." They are usually discovered by accident.

In about forty percent of all cases occur in the course of indefinite abdominal pain, usually in the upper abdomen. Other signs may include:

    Pressure and fullness in the upper abdomen, most often for coffee, alcohol and fatty food
    Nausea, belching
    Flatulence


At 10 percent, violent complaints
Gallstones closing the duct of the gallbladder or bile ducts, so it comes to biliary colic, which are accompanied by

    severe pain in upper abdomen, the increase is very strong and can radiate to the back and shoulders
    Vomit
    Sweats and chills
    Dizziness
    Fever

Colic develop in about ten percent of all cases. The symptoms often after a short time (up to three days) again. Mostly occur again within days or months to colic.

 How are gallstones?
What is the gall bladder?
For the formation of gallstones, several conditions are necessary. The building blocks of gallstones in the bile are even available. The bile is 80 percent water. It also contains bile acids, cholesterol, bilirubin and phospholipids (lecithin).


Two prerequisites for the development of gallstones
If gallstones arise,

    when the bile contains too many substances that can form crystals. These are calcium, bilirubin and cholesterol.
    when the bile contains too many substances, the crystallization of calcium, enabling bilirubin and cholesterol. This is eg the case with many mucus particles.

These factors come together, they can develop gallstones. These stones are initially microscopic crystals, which develop only over time and with appropriate conditions to form larger stones. They can then be sand-size (Gall semolina) but also the size of pebbles.


What are the stones are there?
Depending on what materials there is an oversupply, the formation of different stones. Most common are stones from combined substances, called bilirubin, cholesterol stones, cholesterol or pigment stones. They have a very high proportion of cholesterol (90 percent). Significantly less likely to come before the black pigment-calcium stones. Bilirubin stones have a brown color. Gallstones are made of a single substance but rather rare.


Disease causes
Improper diet is often the
For the development of gallstones contribute substantially overweight and poor diet (cholesterol-rich in fiber, fasting) at.


Women are affected twice as often
Women who have given birth to several children are at an increased risk of forming gallstones. Also run women using hormonal contraception get frequent gallstones. Overall, women twice as likely to suffer from gallstones as men. Other interesting topics for women can be found at MedizInfo AnnaSusanna ®.


Gallstones as a result of other diseases
Increased incidence of gallstones is also found in diseases such as

    Diabetes
    Liver cirrhosis
    Hypothyroidism
    Overactivity of the parathyroid
    Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis


Complications of gallstones
The consequences and possible complications in laying the gallbladder or bile ducts by gallstones can cause the following diseases:

    Jaundice
    Inflammation of the gall bladder (cholecystitis)
    Stasis of the bile with subsequent liver injury
    Inflammation of the pancreas
    Intestinal obstruction (ileus)
    Gall bladder carcinoma

 Therapy
In many cases, surgery is useful
There are several possible operations of gallstones. Depending on the location and size of the stones, as well as individual circumstances, the application is different.

    The removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) is indicated when the gall bladder filled with stones, is inflamed and ulcerated.
    Biliary surgery is performed when stones are located in the bile ducts. Here is also often operated endoscopically.
    For crushing stones (Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy ESWL) occur only in rare cases, because this measure can not be done without risk. The stones must not be larger than three centimeters. There are not more than three stones once smashed.


Drug Litholyse
For drug dissolution of gallstones (Litholyse) can occur only if the stones are no larger than two centimeters, and if they do not contain lime. The bile ducts must be free.


"Gall diet"
In most cases, a nutrition counseling and weight reduction is required. Especially in acute conditions is a "diet gall" is required.


Prevention
During the formation of gallstones plays a crucial role obesity. Therefore, the first and best preventive measure for overweight, the weight reduction. Seek advice from your doctor.

Adjust your diet to high fiber content and varied diet. Drink lots. Also, regular exercise has a positive effect.