Gallstones Treatment

Gallstones Treatment

Gallstones are a common disease that can affect around 30% of individuals by the time they reach 50 years old. Women are more likely to experience gallstones than men, and women over the age of 40 (entering menopause) are more likely to experience them than their younger counterparts. There are both surgical and non-surgical gallstones treatment options available, depending on the severity of your condition.

The gallbladder is an organ that stores bile, a fluid that is produced by the liver. Bile aids in the digestive process of lipids (fats and fat-soluble vitamins) in the small intestine. It is an important cog in the wheel to maintain a healthy digestive system. Gallstones form within the gallbladder which is a part of the digestive system, though it is not integral to the digestive system functioning.

Since the Gallbladder only stores the bile and distributes it into the small intestine, but does not actually make it, gallbladder removal surgery, known technically as a ‘cholecystectomy’ is a perfectly safe treatment for gallstones. Just removing the stones will not work as the gallbladder is diseased.

There are two types of surgery for cholecystectomy. The first is called a ‘laparoscopic cholecystectomy’. Completed using keyhole surgery. The second is more invasive and is called an open cholecystectomy.

Gallstones are caused by many factors, and whilst some of these are systemic of lifestyle choices, genetics can also play a part in whether an individual might develop gallstones later in life.

Rapid weight loss, haematological (blood-related) disorders, obesity and age are all common factors that can contribute to the dysfunction of the gallbladder. This results in gallstones occurring and the need for treatment, often gallbladder removal surgery.

Gallstones form when a super-concentration of bile within the gallbladder solidifies to form stones. The size of a gallstone may vary from that of a grain of sand to the size of a grape.