GALLSTONES MORE SEVERE IF LEFT UNTREATED
Gallstones form when bile in the gall bladder gets over-concentrated and solidifies, forming small crystals. These then become trapped in the gall bladder, and over time they grow larger.
Estimates indicate that about 10% of the population may have gallstones, of which 90% of them having no symptoms.
This was revealed by Public Relations Officer, at the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr Christopher Nyanga. He explains that, it’s common for gallstones to be found when doing scans for other diseases.
Dr Sunil Kadiyala of Dr Kadiyala’s Surgery, clarifies that, in order for gall stones to form, normally the bile from liver flows into the gallbladder to be stored and finally released into the intestines in a regulated manner. “Bile mainly contains bile salts, pigments and cholesterol and when these go out of balance, bile solidifies to form stones in the gallbladder,” he explains.
He further tells Sun Health that, the most common cause of this imbalance is increased cholesterol in bile. The formed stones can cause intermittent pains and infection of the gallbladder and even can be detrimental if not treated,Dr Kadiyala says.
Dr Nyanga says, in a case where gall stones are found in scans, nothing needs to be done. “Health care workers would just advise that the patient keep an eye on the situation to see if they will have any symptoms or problems. If none occur, there is no need for intervention,” he said.
He notes that, symptomatic gallstones can give rise to many conditions, and risk factors for gall stones are genetic and environmental. “For Genetic, it’s about family history (a first degree family member having had gallstones), “he said explaining that, generally gallstones are believed to be more common in some races than others and also more common in females than in males.
Environmental factors include sedentary lifestyle, obesity and eating diet high in carbohydrates amongst others. Dr Nyanga also shares that, people with diabetes and those that have undergone massive and rapid weight loss are also susceptible to having gallstones.
The condition is also more common in people living with certain disease like chronic haemolytic anaemias (eg sickle cell, beta thalassemia), liver cirrhosis and cystic fibrosis. It can also occur after one has undergone surgery removing some parts of the small bowel (ileal resection) or after some parasitic infections.
Dr Kadiyala says, to avoid Gallstones, one needs to maintain a healthy lifestyle which includes balanced diet with more fiber intake with reduced processed carbohydrates and unhealthy fat and regular physical exercise to maintain body weight.
“At the same time, very low calorie intake and rapid weight loss can also lead to its formation. Therefore it is always advisable to seek expert help for weight loss,” explains Dr Kadiyala. Treatment for ga ll stones, require blood tests, ehochmay be needed depending on which of the symptoms the patient has. Admission hospital may be necessary, well as more extensive scansriafise necessary. Some of the signs anwday symptoms of gallstones include reflux and peptic ulcers.
Dr Nyanga clarifies that, depending on which condition a patient has, ultimately the gallbladder needs to be surgically removed.
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“But other procedures may changes your breathing pattern, need to be done before the which escalates your gallbladder is removed if it is blood pressure and sugar causing blockage (unblock firtshte contracts the musthicsleins.trThodeupcrtoiocnes,sthofe and then remove). AntibioticsIn bfroecauthsAsitnagngtharyoouggah, are used if there is an infectioins, and treating the acute pancreatia-njali tis first, before operating on thyeoga”, abnormal connection (MirizzYia) and a cholecystectomy,” adds Dr Nyanga.
Asked if unfiltered water also contributes to the condition of having gall stones, Dr Nyanga said so far his ministry does not have such proof.
There is no evidence in literature that unfiltered water increases the number of people who develop gallstones. In Botswana there is no data to suggest that people from a particular area are affected more than the rest,” he shares.
He therefore reiteraited the need for anyone who has any health discomfort to visit the nearest health facility for advice and get correct diagnosis.