What are gallstones?
Gallstones are hardened deposits of bile fluid that most often form in the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ on the right side of the stomach, just below the right lobe of the liver. Bile is produced by the liver, stored in the gallbladder and drained into the intestines.
Gallstones are divided into 2, namely cholesterol stones and pigment stones. This disease is the most common disease of the biliary system and occurs in 10-15% of the population.
Several factors that influence the occurrence of gallbladder stones include: age, gender, diet, body mass index (BMI), pregnancy, cholesterol and losing weight too quickly.
If gallstones are left untreated, they will cause infection in the gallbladder, and the stones can migrate into the bile duct, causing the patient's body to turn yellow.
Treatment for gallstones depends on the symptoms felt by the patient. Stones in the gallbladder that are asymptomatic can be treated with medication, while those that are symptomatic must undergo surgery to remove the gallbladder.
What are the signs and symptoms of gallstone disease?
Some of the signs and symptoms of gallstone disease experienced by patients are:
- Pain that comes and goes (colic) in the solar plexus area or upper right abdomen. This pain is usually felt after eating and can last for 1-5 hours.
- Pain can spread to the right shoulder or back area between the shoulder blades.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Fever if the infection is severe enough.
Methods of surgery and prevention of gallstone disease.
The surgical method for removing the gallbladder can be carried out using minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopic) techniques, where the surgical wound is only 0.5 – 1 cm in size, so that the pain after surgery is lower, the hospital stay is shorter and the patient can return to normal activities more quickly. .
Gallstone disease can be prevented by eating foods high in fiber and avoiding foods with coconut milk or oil. Other preventive measures that can be taken are exercising regularly, drinking lots of water, and avoiding diets that are too strict.
Article written by dr. Felmond Limanu, Sp.B.SubBDig (Surgery Specialist - Digestive Surgery Subspecialist EMC Pekayon Hospital).