Gallstones

Last week I was diagnosed with gall bladder stones. I could not describe what I felt when the doctor said I possibly have gallstones and needed to have an ultrasound of my abdomen. Sure enough I have multiple stones! The doctor said I need an operation right away! I looked it up in the internet and found operation is not the only treatment. Am posting it now so you guys become aware of gallstones. Do you know many people have gallstones and dont know it? Each year more than 500,000 Americans have gallbladder surgery.
What are gallstones?
Gallstones form when liquid stored in the gallbladder hardens into pieces of stone-like material. The liquid, called bile, is used to help the body digest fats. Gallstones can block the normal flow of bile if they lodge in any of the ducts that carry bile from the liver to the small intestine. If any of these ducts remain blocked for a significant period of time, severe-possibly fatal-damage or infections affecting the gallbladder, liver, or pancreas can occur. Warning signs of a serious problem are fever, jaundice, and persistent pain.
What causes gallstones?
Scientists believe cholesterol stones form when bile contains too much cholesterol, too much bilirubin, or not enough bile salts, or when the gallbladder does not empty as it should for some other reason.
Other factors that contribute to gallstones have been identified:
1. Obesity - overweight people are more at risk
2. Estrogen - estrogen from pregnancy or drugs increase cholesterol levels
3. Ethnicity - native and Mexican Americans are more prone
4. Gender - women more prone
5. Diabetes - more risk for diabetics
6. Rapid weight loss - weight loss causes liver to produce more cholesterol
7. Fasting - fasting decreases gall bladder movement so stones can form
Note: Many people with gallstones have no symptoms. These patients are said to be asymptomatic, and these stones are called "silent stones." They do not interfere with gallbladder, liver, or pancreas function, and do not need treatment.
Treatment
1. Surgery - laparoscopic cholecystectomy
2. Oral dissolution therapy - Drugs made from bile acid are used to dissolve the stones. for more info...