Biology ----Gallstone

Disorder name: Gallstones

What Are Gallstones?
Gallstones are presence of solid material within gallbladder. Most of stones are
produced by cholesterol and pigments in bile. In addition, stones are formed
because hard particles in a certain condition.

System the disorder

effects:
Digestive system
How does the
gallstones affect
digestive system?

The primary
function of
bladder is to
receive bile that
is generated by
the liver, concentrate and mix it with mineral salts and enzymes,
and then release the bile into the small intestine. The enzymes
generated by the gallbladder are essential to the proper digestion
of fat. Gallstones will create the impediment in excreting bile, so it
is certainly affected the digestive system, especially your fat
digestion is impaired.

What are the symptoms of the disorder?

In fact, there is nothing special symptom happen during the

patients get gallstones.It is also the reason why gallstones are
often calledsilent stones. Usually, a person finds he or she has
gallstones while being examined for another illness.
However, if the symptoms do appear, it may include four parts:
Pain in the upper abdomen and upper back.

The pain may last for several

hours.
Nausea
Vomiting
Other gastrointestinal problems,

including bloating, indigestion and

heartburn, and gas

How is the disorder diagnosed?

If you are suspected that you may have gallstones, you will be done a physical
exam or accept other various tests, including the following:

Blood tests: Blood tests may be given to check for signs of infection or obstruction
and/or to rule out other conditions.

Ultrasound: This procedure produces images of various parts of the body and can be
used to identify gallstones.

CAT scan: This test uses specialized X-rays to create cross-section images of organs
and body tissues.

Cholescintigraphy (HIDA scan): This test can determine whether the gallbladder is
contracting correctly. A radioactive material is injected into the patient and makes
its way to the gallbladder. The technician can then observe the movement of the
gallbladder.

Endoscopic ultrasound: This test combines ultrasound and endoscopy to look for
gallstones.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): The doctor inserts an

endoscope through the patient's mouth down to the small intestine and injects a
dye to allow the bile ducts to be seen. The doctor can then remove gallstones that
have moved into the ducts.

How is the disorder treated?

Taking out the gallbladder is the main surgery to treat

gallstones.Open cholecystectomy is the traditional operation. In
addition, there is another newer procedure called laparoscopic
cholecystectomy.Compared with opencholecystectomy,
laparoscopic cholecystectomy is less invasive, has fewer
complications, and is used more often.
Laparscopic cholecystectomy. During this procedure, instruments, a light, and a
camera are passed through several small incisions in the abdomen. The surgeon
views the inside of the body by looking at a video monitor. This procedure is used in
approximately 80% of gallbladder removals. After the surgery, the patient spends
the night in the hospital.
Open cholecystectomy. This is a more invasive procedure in which the surgeon
makes incisions in the abdomen to remove the gallbladder. The patient stays in the
hospital for a few days after the surgery.
cholangiopancreatography If gallstones are in the bile ducts, endoscopic retrograde
cholangiopancreatography may be used to find and remove them before or during
gallbladder surgery.

Are There Any Nonsurgical Treatments for Gallstones?

Instead of operations, maybe the medications Actigall or Chenix

will help you against the illness.(The specific situation is based on
if you have a medical condition and you cant process the
gallstone surgery, or doctors suggestion).Actigall and Chenix are
both used to dissolve cholesterol stones. MIld diarrhea is a side
effect that may occur when you take these drugs.
The disadvantage of taking either the medication is that you need
to use it for years until the gallstones are completely dissolved.In
addition,stones may come back after you stop taking the
medication.
What Are the Risk Factors for Gallstones?
Genetics. If other people in your family have had gallstones, you are at increased
risk of developing gallstones.
Obesity. This is one of the biggest risk factors. Obesity can cause a rise in
cholesterol and can also keep the gallbladder from emptying completely.
Estrogen. Estrogen can increase cholesterol and reduce gallbladder motility. Women
who are pregnant or who take birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy
have higher levels of estrogen and may be more likely to develop gallstones.
Ethnic background. Certain ethnic groups, including Native Americans and MexicanAmericans, are more likely to develop gallstones.
Gender and age. Gallstones are more common among women and older people.

Cholesterol drugs. Some cholesterol-lowering drugs increase the amount of

cholesterol in bile, which may increase the chances of developing cholesterol
stones.
Diabetes. People with diabetes tend to have higher levels of triglycerides (a type of
blood fat), which is a risk factor for gallstones.
Rapid weight loss. If a person loses weight too quickly, his or her liver secretes extra
cholesterol, which may lead to gallstones. Also, fasting may cause the gallbladder to
contract less.

Causes
Several factors may come together to create gallstones, including:
Genetics
Body weight
Decreased motility (movement) of the gallbladder
Diet

Gallstones usually can form in 3 specific conditions. First, there is

an imbalance in the substances that make up bile. Second,too
much cholesterol in the bile.Third, inability of the gallbladder to
empty properly.
Pigment stones often take place in people who with certain
medical conditions, such as cirrhosis (a liver disease in which scar
tissue replaces healthy liver tissue) or blood diseases such as
sickle cell anemia.