Image Credit: Getty
Video Credit: Getty
They are hardened deposits of digestive fluid within the gallbladder, a small organ under the liver. They can vary in size and number and may not cause symptoms.
Video Credit: Getty
Too much cholesterol, bilirubin (chemical produced when liver destroys old red blood cells because of liver damage), and concentrated bile due to full gallbladder.
Image Credit: Getty
Being overweight or obese, eating a high fat and low fibre diet, rapid weight loss, family history of gallstones and diabetes mellitus are risk factors for gallstones.
Video Credit: Getty
Gallstones cause pain in upper right abdomen. Eating foods high in fat can trigger the pain, which usually does not last for more than a few hours.
Video Credit: Getty
Indigestion, diarrhoea, burping, stomach pain, clay-coloured stools, dark urine, vomiting and nausea are common symptoms of gallstones.
Video Credit: Getty
Gallstones themselves don't cause pain. They cause pain when they block movement of bile from gallbladder. 80% people are asymptomatic and don't need treatment.
Image Credit: Getty
People who experience symptoms usually require gallbladder removal surgery. Gallstones that don't cause symptoms usually don't need treatment.
Image Credit: Getty
Results of a gallstone surgery are fairly positive. In most cases, stones don't return. Without surgery, stone can return, even if you have taken medications.
Image Credit: Getty
Asymptomatic ones may be treated with lifestyle management. Maintain a healthy weight, avoid quick weight loss, eat anti-inflammatory foods and exercise regularly.
Video Credit: Getty
Gallstones risk can be reduced by eating low-fat foods, eating more fibre, restricting intake of caffeine, eating small, frequent meals and drinking sufficient water.
Video Credit: Getty
Gallstones block the duct where bile moves from gallbladder, causing inflammation and infection in bladder. It causes cholecystitis, a medical emergency.
Image Credit: Getty
It causes pain in upper stomach, fever, chills, appetite loss, nausea and vomiting. If symptoms last more than two hours and if you have a fever, visit the doctor.
Image Credit: Getty
If left untreated, gallstones can cause jaundice, gallbladder infection, bile duct infection, sepsis and inflammation in pancreas.
Image Credit: Getty
For more stories like
this check out:
doctor.ndtv.com
Video Credit: Getty