Cholelithiasis: what it is, symptoms and treatment

Cholelithiasis is the presence of stones inside the gallbladder due to the accumulation of bilirubin or cholesterol there, which causes obstruction of the bile duct and can lead to the appearance of some symptoms, such as pain in the stomach, back, vomiting and excessive sweating. , for example.

It is important that in the presence of signs and symptoms suggestive of cholelithiasis, the gastroenterologist or general practitioner is consulted so that an evaluation and diagnosis can be made, which may involve performing an ultrasound or abdominal computed tomography.

If gallstones cannot be eliminated naturally, the doctor may recommend the use of medications that stimulate their elimination or surgery to remove the gallbladder.

Symptoms of cholelithiasis

Although in most cases cholelithiasis does not present symptoms, when stones cause obstruction of the bile ducts they can cause symptoms such as:

• Pain or cramps in the gallbladder region;
• Stomach pain that radiates to the ribs, back or rest of the abdomen;
• General feeling of discomfort;
• Nausea;
• Vomiting;
• Sweats.

Symptoms can begin about half an hour to an hour after meals or suddenly, sometimes during the night, varying in intensity and duration, with pain lasting several days.

Furthermore, the pain can be more intense and last longer when complications such as inflammation of the gallbladder, bile ducts or pancreas occur, and other symptoms such as fever and yellow eyes and skin may also appear. Discover other symptoms of gallstones.

Symptoms online test

To find out your risk of having cholelithiasis, select the symptoms presented in the following test:

Main causes

Cholelithiasis can occur as a consequence of some situations, the main ones being:

• Excess cholesterol: cholesterol in bile cannot be eliminated and ends up accumulating and forming gallstones;
• Too much bilirubin: happens when there are problems with the liver or blood, leading to elevated bilirubin production;
• Very concentrated bile: It happens when the gallbladder is unable to eliminate its contents correctly, which makes the bile very concentrated and favors the formation of gallstones.

These situations can occur as a result of obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, a diet rich in fat and diabetes, and can also occur due to cirrhosis or the use of some medications, such as contraceptive pills.

How the treatment is carried out

In most cases, cholelithiasis does not cause symptoms and the stones are eliminated on their own, without requiring treatment. However, when the stones are very large and become trapped in the bile ducts, treatment by a gastroenterologist may be necessary, such as the use of shock waves or gallstone medications, such as ursodiol, which help to destroy and dissolve the stone, eliminating it through feces.

Surgery to remove the gallbladder, known scientifically as cholecystectomy, is the most frequent and effective treatment, indicated when the person presents symptoms and can be done classically, through a cut in the belly, or laparoscopically, where the instruments used in surgery enter the belly through small incisions made in the belly. Check out the treatment options for gallstones.

How should the diet be

Diet is very important to treat cholelithiasis, because consuming foods with fat can worsen the symptoms of gallstones. Therefore, the person should consult a nutritionist so that they can recommend the best diet, and it is essential to avoid the consumption of foods rich in fat, such as fried foods, sausages, fatty meats and snacks.

Check out some tips on what to eat and what to avoid during gallstone treatment in the following video: