Cholelithiasis, or gallstone disease, is a disease in which the formation of hard stones in the gallbladder. What causes gallstones to form? The main reason for the development of pathology is a metabolic disorder; women of all ages and individuals who consume large amounts of fatty and protein foods are at risk.
Why and where do gallstones form? How to prevent this? Is the disease treatable? All this will be discussed in the article.
Causes of gallstones
Why do gallstones form ? Bile in the normal state has a liquid structure, which does not interfere with its outflow and does not contribute to the formation of solid deposits. The following are the main factors that can lead to pathological changes that cause the formation of gallstones:
- Excessive intake of foods rich in animal fats.
- Impaired liver function, which decreases the production of bile acids.
- Tendency to obesity, the presence of excess body weight.
- Side effects after taking hormonal contraceptives.
- Cirrhosis of the liver.
- Acute allergic reaction.
- Diabetes.
- Excessively high pressure in the gastrointestinal tract, interfering with the natural outflow of bile.
- The consequences of surgical interventions.
- Various autoimmune conditions.
- Lack of physical activity, maintaining a sedentary lifestyle.
- Pregnancy.
- Lack of a balanced and complete diet, prolonged fasting and a sharp loss of body weight.
- Kinks or damage to the bile ducts.
- Malignant or benign neoplasms.
- Genetic predisposition.
Types of stone formation
We figured out why stones form in the gallbladder. Now let's talk about the types of stone formation. Specialists distinguish two types: at the initial stage, solid deposits form and form in the biliary tract. This pathology is capable of not causing any symptoms for a long time.
The formation of stones gradually leads to disruption of processes associated with the outflow of bile. This contributes to a significant reduction in the volume of bile entering the intestines; increased pressure and expansion of the bile ducts, as well as their subsequent blockage. Against the background of these processes, secondary stone formation occurs. At this stage, there is an increased risk of infection from the gastrointestinal tract.
Symptoms of gallstone disease
From what stones are formed in the gallbladder, you already know. And what are the symptoms of cholelithiasis? The disease can last for 5-10 years without any pronounced symptoms. The development of the clinical picture depends on the volume of stones, their diameter and localization. Gradually, the following signs of the disease begin to appear:
- Attacks of drilling or stitching pain, the focus is in the right hypochondrium or liver. Discomfort increases after drinking alcohol or fatty foods, as well as after significant physical exertion. Attacks can pass independently after 4-6 hours after occurrence.
- A feeling of nausea, which often turns into profuse vomiting.
- The appearance of belching and a bitter taste in the oral cavity, which indicates the ingress of bile into the stomach.
- Complex digestive disorders leading to increased gas, diarrhea, or constipation. Fecal discoloration may occur.
- A feeling of general malaise and weakness even in the absence of significant stresses on the body.
- The occurrence of febrile conditions, an increase in body temperature. Usually this symptom is a sign of inflammatory processes occurring due to the attachment of a secondary infection.
Risk of complications
If you suspect gallstone disease, you need to seek professional medical help. Specialists will conduct diagnostics to confirm the diagnosis, after which a course of therapy will be prescribed. The lack of timely measures can lead to the development of dangerous conditions, among which the following complications can be distinguished:
- Inflammation of the gallbladder in acute form.
- Rupture of the gallbladder.
- Joining a secondary infection that can lead to the development of chronic diseases.
- Intestinal obstruction.
- The development of neoplasms in the gallbladder.
Treatment and prevention
Suitable methods of treatment are selected by specialists depending on the size of the stones and their localization, as well as the general condition of the patient. To date, the following main methods are used:
- Endoscopic removal methods are referred to as minimally invasive surgery, this is the most preferred technique because it has a low risk of complications.
- In the presence of large stones, their preliminary crushing is practiced, after which fragments are removed using special equipment and tools.
- Laparotomy is practiced when it is impossible to use endoscopic methods. The main difference is the mandatory imposition of the connection between the intestine and the bile duct.
- Reception of antibiotics is appointed at accession of a secondary infection provoking inflammatory processes in a gall bladder. Depending on the arising pathologies and complications, pharmacological preparations are selected individually.
Measures that completely protect themselves from the appearance of stones in the gallbladder do not exist. The following is a list of rules that can help minimize this risk:
- Exercising, maintaining physical activity.
- Maintaining optimal body weight.
- Frequent, but moderate consumption of food, which will prevent undesirable accumulation of bile.
- Limiting the consumption of animal fats, the inclusion of a sufficient amount of plant foods in the diet.
- The inclusion of dietary fiber in an amount of about 20-30 g per day.
- Complete exclusion of spicy seasonings and smoked products from the diet.
- Prophylactic administration of drugs based on ursodeoxycholic acid.
Stones after gall bladder removal
Do stones form after gall bladder removal? This question is of interest to most patients who underwent surgery to remove the gallbladder, since it does not eliminate the problems with metabolic processes leading to the formation of stones. However, the risk of recurrence of gallstone disease is minimized, since the increase in stones usually occurs directly in the gallbladder. If it is absent, then such deposits along with bile are transported into the intestine and leave the body, not having time to acquire sizes that can cause discomfort to a person.
What stones form in the gall bladder?
The main classification involves the division of stones into two groups, the division criterion is the formation mechanism. True stones are most often formed during the progression of gallstone disease: they have a dark color, an elongated shape and a soft structure; size does not exceed 30 mm. False stones are deposits that were not detected during the operation due to the peculiarities of localization.
Depending on the structure, fibrous, amorphous, crystalline or layered stones stand out.
An alternative classification method is to divide the stones according to their composition. In accordance with it, it is possible to distinguish calcareous, cholesterol, mixed or pigmented formations. Deposits in the gallbladder rarely consist of one component, much more often they have a mixed composition, in which the concentration of cholesterol predominates.
How quickly do gallstones form?
According to statistics, every fifth person is affected by gallstone disease. The average growth rate of formations is about 3-5 mm annually, but these indicators are individual and depend on many factors. For example, in the absence of a balanced diet or strict dietary systems and fasting methods, growth occurs much faster. The process is wave-like, the stage of active growth is replaced by stabilization, in some cases, partial dissolution of stones is observed in a natural way.
Now you know why gallstones form, how quickly, and how to prevent this. And if the disease still prevailed over you, do not hesitate in going to the doctor. Your health is in your hands! Do not be ill!