The essence of cholelithiasis (it is more correct to call it cholelithiasis) lies in the fact that stones form in the gallbladder. "Building material" for them are the main components of bile. The disease proceeds in most cases without symptoms and is detected by chance, during an ultrasound examination. It rarely happens that the stones are in the excrement if they slipped from the bladder into the intestines. A person can feel the manifestations of cholelithiasis in case of its complications. That's when pain, bloating and other signs of this disease appear.
Cholelithiasis: Complications
Calculations (accumulations of stones) provoke inflammation of the gallbladder. This happens when the bladder contracts after eating to throw out a portion of bile: the stones irritate the mucous membrane of the organ, and the person feels discomfort after eating. Pain in gallstone disease can be aching or paroxysmal. Sometimes it hurts not in the place where the affected organ is located, but in the region of the heart, lower back or stomach. To determinethe origin of the pain, can not do without research. In addition to the already mentioned ultrasound, stones are sometimes shown by x-rays. There is a method of retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), but this is already a surgical intervention, which is used in the study of the bile ducts.
Another complication of cholelithiasis, experts call a violation of the outflow of bile, which is accompanied by yellowing of the sclera of the patient's eyes. During colic, stones enter the bile duct and block it. And here you can’t do without an operation.
Causes of gallstone disease
The abuse of food of animal origin, as well as those containing refined carbohydrates, increases the level of cholesterol, which in turn is involved in the formation of stones in the gallbladder and ducts. In women, the cause of the disease can be pregnancy, as well as taking birth control pills. In both cases, a hormone is released into the bloodstream that promotes the formation of lithogenic (stone-producing) bile.
How to relieve pain
A tissue impregnated with heated camphor oil is placed on the gallbladder area. After a while, the pain subsides. Analgesics and antispasmodics will also help, but since swallowed tablets can cause vomiting, it is better to inject drugs. And of course, in order to relieve pain and heal, you need to review your diet, giving up food that makes it difficult for the liver to work. These are animal fats, dairy products, eggs, sausages, liver, caviar, sugar, starch, fried and spicy food. Soviet nutritionistPevsner developed a diet designed to help those people who were diagnosed with gallstone disease. Diet 5 has been very successful in relieving symptoms if followed diligently.
Treatment
There are two ways to heal from the disease: the use of drugs that remove stones from the gallbladder, and surgery to remove the gallbladder itself. Usually doctors suggest the second way. Why? Medicines that help dissolve stones take a long time, are expensive, and not all stones are successfully treated. And most importantly, after the completion of therapy, stones will begin to appear again if the causes of the disease are not eliminated. The same can be said about the method of shock wave therapy (lithotripsy), in which stones are crushed, but it is not indicated for all patients.
The operation involves the removal of the gallbladder, since the stone-filled organ can no longer perform its functions. Experts say that this will not affect the future life of a person. A method of laparoscopy, thanks to which surgery is performed through small (from 5 mm to 1.5 cm) holes, there are no stitches left on the body.
Prevention of the disease is to eat right and move actively.
