Shaped like a pear, the gall bladder is located on the under surface of the liver. The two are directly linked by a duct system. They work together in the production, storage and release of bile into the alimentary canal to facilitate digestion of fats. This linkage can be interfered with when the channels get obstructed for whatsoever reason, an occurrence that may necessitate an operation to restore normal flow. These are some of the basic facts regarding gallbladder surgery Queens NY patients may wish to know.
An individual is predisposed to gallstones if they are of the female gender, older than forty, overweight, or have had a similar experience in their lifetime. Gallstones can be pigmented or cholesterol in form with the majority being made up of cholesterol. They tend to get impacted in the gallbladder (being small sized organ) when the aforementioned risk factors are present.
Gallstones present as abdominal pain in the region where the bladder is located, that is the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. The pain is usually intermittent and may be associated with food intake. It usually is an intense pain that may last several hours. This happens when a stone is released from the gallbladder and gets lodged into one of the biliary ducts (transport channels). The stone travels back and forth due to peristaltic waves within the ducts hence the intermittency of the pain. The itensity of discomfort is directly proportional to the size and number of stones.
In addition, a patient suspected to have gallbladder disease may have yellow eyes and skin if severe. Frequent episodes of vomiting can result in loss of the require fluid volume in the body. Therefore, these patient need to be monitored for any signs of dehydration such as dry, sunken eyes, disheveled skin and reduced urination. Fever and pain should be controlled using the appropriate drugs.
Management of gallstones should be given the attention it deserves because negligence can lead to irreversible damage of critical organs in the body. The presence of stones triggers an inflammatory response that if left to go on without intervention, can result in spillage of bile once the gallbladder gets perforated.
The mainstay of treatment for gallstones is gall bladder removal, otherwise known as cholecystectomy. Preoperatively, certain blood tests including liver function test should be performed to ensure the patient is fit for surgery. Also, an abdominal ultrasound needs to be done to confirm the diagnosis and to define the region of disease. Surgery is usually done under general anaesthesia.
Two options are available for gall bladder surgery, open surgery or laparoscopic. Open surgery is associated with a higher risk of infection, more blood loss and it takes longer for the patient to heal. Moreover, it leaves the patient with a larger, less attractive physical scar.
In summary, an operation is usually the primary treatment of gallstones. In this case, the risk of recurrence is almost zero if the surgery is done in a proper manner. The only time in which medical treatment can be the mainstay is if the condition does not interfere with the day to day life of the individual.
An individual is predisposed to gallstones if they are of the female gender, older than forty, overweight, or have had a similar experience in their lifetime. Gallstones can be pigmented or cholesterol in form with the majority being made up of cholesterol. They tend to get impacted in the gallbladder (being small sized organ) when the aforementioned risk factors are present.
Gallstones present as abdominal pain in the region where the bladder is located, that is the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. The pain is usually intermittent and may be associated with food intake. It usually is an intense pain that may last several hours. This happens when a stone is released from the gallbladder and gets lodged into one of the biliary ducts (transport channels). The stone travels back and forth due to peristaltic waves within the ducts hence the intermittency of the pain. The itensity of discomfort is directly proportional to the size and number of stones.
In addition, a patient suspected to have gallbladder disease may have yellow eyes and skin if severe. Frequent episodes of vomiting can result in loss of the require fluid volume in the body. Therefore, these patient need to be monitored for any signs of dehydration such as dry, sunken eyes, disheveled skin and reduced urination. Fever and pain should be controlled using the appropriate drugs.
Management of gallstones should be given the attention it deserves because negligence can lead to irreversible damage of critical organs in the body. The presence of stones triggers an inflammatory response that if left to go on without intervention, can result in spillage of bile once the gallbladder gets perforated.
The mainstay of treatment for gallstones is gall bladder removal, otherwise known as cholecystectomy. Preoperatively, certain blood tests including liver function test should be performed to ensure the patient is fit for surgery. Also, an abdominal ultrasound needs to be done to confirm the diagnosis and to define the region of disease. Surgery is usually done under general anaesthesia.
Two options are available for gall bladder surgery, open surgery or laparoscopic. Open surgery is associated with a higher risk of infection, more blood loss and it takes longer for the patient to heal. Moreover, it leaves the patient with a larger, less attractive physical scar.
In summary, an operation is usually the primary treatment of gallstones. In this case, the risk of recurrence is almost zero if the surgery is done in a proper manner. The only time in which medical treatment can be the mainstay is if the condition does not interfere with the day to day life of the individual.
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