If gallstones go untreated they can cause a variety of serious medical problems. These include inflammation and infection of the gallbladder (cholecystitis), obstruction of the biliary tract resulting in jaundice and fever, pancreatitis which can cause abdominal pain, as well as blockage of the bile ducts or gallbladder or the common bile duct (choledocholithiasis) which can lead to pancreatitis, an increase in bile production that can create elevated levels of bilirubin and the rare condition hepatic cholelithiasis which can cause cirrhosis.
Some of the more severe symptoms associated with untreated gallstones include severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, fever, jaundice and clay-colored stools. If gallstones go untreated for a prolonged period or become large enough to block the ducts, emergency medical treatment may be necessary.
Treatment options for gallstones generally include surgery (removal of the gallbladder), medications, or other lifestyle changes.
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Can you live with gallstones without surgery?
Yes, it is possible to live with gallstones without having surgery. This is because gallstones can often remain symptomless and not cause any health problems. Many people develop gallstones, but go through their daily lives without even being aware of them.
It is only when gallstones cause serious symptoms or complications that surgery is recommended to remove them. Therefore, provided the gallstones are not causing any problems, people can often live with them without surgery.
What is the fastest way to cure gallstones?
The fastest way to cure gallstones is through minimally invasive laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which is a surgical procedure that involves making a few small incisions in the abdomen in order to access and remove the gallbladder.
This is considered to be the quickest and most efficient way to cure gallstones, as it eliminates them quickly and completely and there is minimal recovery time. Other treatments, such as medication or lifestyle changes, can reduce symptoms and can also help to prevent gallstones from forming, but will not get rid of them.
Ultrasonic shockwave therapy is another treatment option, but it is not recommended for people with acute gallbladder pain and inflammation. Finally, some cases of gallstones can be cured with dietary changes, such as reducing fat intake, and consuming more fiber, probiotics, and anti-inflammatory foods.
However, if your gallstones are large or symptomatic, it is best to speak to your doctor to determine which treatment option is best for you.
Is it OK not to remove gallstones?
No, it is generally not recommended to leave gallstones untreated. Gallstones may cause serious health issues such as inflammation and obstruction of the gallbladder and bile ducts. Depending on the size of the gallstones, they might cause other symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
If the pain is severe, it can even cause a fever, jaundice, and discoloration of your skin or the whites of your eyes. In some cases, gallstones may become infected or cause an obstruction of the biliary tract.
In these cases, it is even more important to get the gallstones treated, as this could lead to life-threatening complications. Therefore, if you have gallstones, it is very important to have them removed in order to maintain good health.
How can I reduce my gallbladder stone without surgery?
Making changes to your diet is the first step. Eating a healthy, low-fat, plant-based diet can help prevent gallstones from forming. Eating plenty of water-soluble fibres such as oat bran, apples, and legumes is also recommended.
This can help improve digestion and reduce the formation of gallstones.
Exercise can also help reduce gallstones. According to research, regular physical activity helps reduce levels of cholesterol in the gallbladder, which can help reduce the risk of gallstones. Aim for a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week, although more is even better.
Taking targeted supplements may also provide some relief from gallstones without surgery. University studies have suggested that the natural supplement vernodalin reduced the size of gallstones in participants by as much as 25 percent.
Overall, reducing your risk of developing gallstones can be done through some simple dietary and lifestyle changes. Eating a healthy, low-fat diet full of fibre and exercising regularly, as well as taking natural supplements, can all contribute to reducing the size of gallstones, or preventing them from forming in the first place.
Consulting with a physician is the best course of action to determine if these steps are right for your situation.
How long is too long to have gallstones?
The length of time a person can go with gallstones varies depending on the underlying cause, the size of the stone, and the severity of the symptoms. In most cases, a person can go without treatment for some time without any significant impact on their health.
However, if the stones are very large, if they are causing severe pain and other symptoms, or if there is an underlying health condition, treatment may be recommended sooner rather than later. If a person is experiencing pain and other symptoms, they should contact their doctor to discuss treatment options.
It is important to note that untreated gallstones can put a person at risk for complications like infection, bile duct blockage, and pancreatitis. Therefore, if symptoms are present, prompt attention to the situation is important for the best outcomes.
What happens if you wait too long for gallbladder surgery?
If you wait too long for gallbladder surgery, it can have serious consequences, such as worsening of your symptoms, further damage to your organs, and potential complications during the surgery. As the gallbladder is connected to other organs in the abdomen, prolonged blockage can result in discomfort, nausea, pain, and jaundice.
Some of the complications associated with waiting too long for surgery can include infection of the gallbladder and bile ducts, and the development of gallstones. In extreme cases, the gallbladder can become infected beyond repair and will require removal, which increases the risks of infection, uncontrolled bleeding, and organ damage.
Therefore, it is important to get gallbladder surgery as soon as the diagnosis of gallbladder disease has been made, in order to reduce the risks of complications and long-term issues.
What can dissolve gallstones?
Gallstones can be dissolved most commonly with bile salts and other medications. These bile salts act as detergents and break down the microscopic crystals that form the stones into smaller particles.
Medications to dissolve gallstones, called “shock wave lithotripsy”, can also be used to break down the stones into smaller particles. Additionally, surgery and laser treatments can be used to remove the stones from the gallbladder.
Dietary changes, such as eating low-fat, low-cholesterol foods, drinking plenty of fluids, and avoiding processed foods, may also help reduce the formation of gallstones. Exercise, losing weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle may also help to dissolve gallstones naturally.
Can gallbladder problems last for years?
Yes, gallbladder problems can last for years. Gallbladder issues can vary in severity, with some symptoms lasting only a few months or weeks and other symptoms lingering for years. CommonGallbladder problems include gallstones, inflammation of the gallbladder (known as cholecystitis), infections, and gallbladder cancer.
Symptoms of gallbladder problems such as pain in the upper abdomen, nausea, vomiting, and fever may appear and last anywhere from days to weeks, depending on the underlying cause. In more severe cases of gallstones, inflammation, or infection, the symptoms can persist for months or even years.
In addition to these common issues, gallbladder cancer can also have longer-lasting symptoms. In current research, gallbladder cancer is one of the most difficult to diagnose, with an average of 22 months between the first symptom and diagnosis.
In some cases, it can take years to correctly diagnose and treat. For this reason, if you experience any symptoms of a gallbladder problem that persist for more than a few weeks, it is important to seek medical attention.
Your healthcare provider will be able to help identify the underlying cause and provide proper treatment to help manage and alleviate your symptoms.
When are gallstones an emergency?
Gallstones can be an emergency if they cause a blockage of the biliary system, which is the system that carries bile from the liver to the small intestine. Blockage of this system can cause severe abdominal pain, nausea, fever, jaundice, and vomiting.
If left untreated, this blockage can cause a life-threatening infection called cholangitis, which is an inflammation of the bile ducts. In addition, if the gallstone becomes large enough, it can cause an obstruction in the pancreatic or common bile duct, which can cause life-threatening complications.
It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of gallstones, and to seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.
What will emergency room do for gallbladder attack?
A gallbladder attack occurs when a gallstone or group of gallstones block the cystic duct, causing the gallbladder to become inflamed. When a person is having a gallbladder attack, they will typically experience pain in the right upper abdominal area and back, and often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or fever.
When presenting to an emergency room with a gallbladder attack, a patient can expect to undergo a number of tests to help determine the proper course of treatment. Tests typically done in the ER to diagnose a gallbladder attack include blood tests, often to check for any signs of infection, and an ultrasound to visually inspect the gallbladder and to determine if there are any gallstones present.
The ER physician may also order additional tests if the blood tests reveal an elevated white blood cell count or any other signs of infection.
For mild cases, the ER will typically treat the symptoms and monitor the patient for a few hours before sending them home with medications, rest, and possible dietary changes. If the patient has a severe gallbladder attack, the ER may hospitalize them and administer antibiotics or even surgically remove the gallbladder.
Additionally, if gallstones were found on the ultrasound, the patient may be referred to a specialist to further evaluate the patient and discuss treatment options like Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or surgical removal of the gallbladder.
Ultimately, it is important to speak to a qualified healthcare professional about symptoms and possible treatments for a gallbladder attack. The emergency room can treat mild cases of gallbladder attack, but when necessary will refer the patient to a specialist for more specialized treatment.
Do you get admitted to the hospital for gallstones?
Whether or not you get admitted to the hospital for gallstones usually depends on the severity of the condition and how urgently it needs to be treated. If your gallstone is causing you extreme pain or other troubling symptoms, such as jaundice or fever, you will likely be admitted to the hospital to receive treatment.
In some cases, if your gallstones are not causing any symptoms and aren’t likely to cause complications, your doctor may choose to monitor you in an outpatient setting. However, if your condition is more severe or has a greater risk for complications, your doctor will likely refer you to a hospital for further treatment.
Depending on the severity of your case, you may be kept in the hospital overnight or even hospitalized for a few days or longer. Generally, gallstone surgery is performed in an outpatient setting. But if the gallstone is too large or located in an area that is difficult to access with standard surgical techniques, you may need to be hospitalized for the procedure.
How do you know if gallstones are serious?
Gallstones can be a serious medical condition and early treatment is important. If you experience any of the following symptoms, it is important to seek medical advice as soon as possible: persistent and severe abdominal pain, pain between shoulder blades, back pain, nausea and vomiting, chills or fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, and clay-colored stools.
If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to speak to your doctor to determine if gallstones are present and the best course of treatment. In some cases, surgery is necessary to remove the gallbladder and rid the body of the stones.
It is also important to remember that pain experienced as a result of gallstones can be treated with medications and living a healthy lifestyle, along with avoiding foods that could be causing them. Additionally, if you have a family history of gallstones, be sure to voice this to your doctor for further advice.
What warrants emergency gallbladder surgery?
Emergency gallbladder surgery is typically only necessary in cases of acute cholecystitis, which is an inflammation of the gallbladder that can be very serious and life threatening if not treated quickly.
Other conditions that may require an urgent gallbladder surgery include gallstones blocking the common bile duct and gallbladder perforation and/or rupture. Symptoms of these conditions may include severe abdominal and/or back pain, fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting.
Emergency surgery may be necessary to avoid further complications such as gangrene of the gallbladder, sepsis, and various other risks to the individual’s overall health and wellbeing. In order to prevent these medical emergencies from occurring, it is important to seek medical help at the first sign of any pain in the abdomen as any of these conditions can spread rapidly and become very serious in a very short amount of time.
How long are you in hospital for gallstone removal?
The length of a hospital stay for gallstone removal will depend on the type of procedure and individual factors. Generally speaking, if you undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy (surgical removal of the gallbladder), you can usually expect to stay overnight in the hospital.
If a laparotomy (open abdominal surgery) is necessary, you may need to stay up to four days. In any case, you may need to return in six to eight weeks for a follow-up appointment.
Recovery time can vary significantly, though typically it can take four to six weeks to fully heal after gallstone removal. Your doctor can provide you with specific instructions for your recovery, such as avoiding heavy lifting or certain activities and when it is safe to return to work or school.
