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Gallstones are often asymptomatic, which makes early diagnosis difficult.

Gallstone disease is one of the most common pathologies of the digestive system. According to the WHO, up to 10% of the world’s population faces this problem, and in Ukraine the incidence among adults reaches 12-15%. At the same time, women get sick two to three times more often than men due to hormonal characteristics, pregnancy, and other factors. People over 40 years old, those with a genetic predisposition, obesity, or diabetes are particularly susceptible to gallstones.

Unfortunately, gallstones are often asymptomatic, which makes early diagnosis difficult. Usually, the disease is detected by chance during ultrasound examinations, but in case of progression, serious complications are possible that require immediate intervention.

Oleksandr Fedosenko, a surgeon of the highest category, head of the surgical department atLeleka Medical Center, explains why stones appear, what treatment methods exist, and what the consequences of ignoring the problem are.

Why do stones form?

Gallstones are formed due to metabolic disorders when the balance of bile components changes. The main types of stones are:

1. Cholesterol stones – account for up to 80% of cases. They arise due to an increase in cholesterol levels in the bile, which provokes the formation of crystals, which eventually turn into hard calculi.
2. Pigmented – formed due to impaired bilirubin metabolism.
3. Mixed – a combination of several types of components.

Risk factors include:

• Unhealthy diet – excessive consumption of fatty and high-calorie foods with low fiber content.
• Obesity and physical inactivity – reduced physical activity and overweight.
• Hormonal changes – pregnancy, long-term use of hormonal contraceptives.
• Heredity – if there are cases of gallstone disease in the family, the risk increases significantly.
• Some diseases are diabetes mellitus, small intestine diseases, biliary tract infections.

How to recognize the problem?

In most cases, cholelithiasis is asymptomatic, and stones are detected by chance during an ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity. However, in some situations, patients may notice:

• Heaviness and discomfort in the right hypochondrium.
• Bitterness in the mouth and nausea, especially after a fatty meal.
• Pain in the right hypochondrium with radiation to the back, sometimes accompanied by acute attacks.

Acute intense pain may indicate the development of complications, such as acute cholecystitis, and requires immediate medical attention.

How to treat gallstone disease?

The only effective treatment for gallstones is surgical removal of the gallbladder. The gold standard is laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a minimally invasive surgery performed through small punctures in the abdominal wall. This method ensures rapid recovery of patients who can be discharged the next day.

At the same time, ignoring the problem can lead to serious complications, such as

• acute purulent cholecystitis
• pancreatitis
• jaundice due to blockage of the bile ducts.

To reduce the risk of developing gallstones:

• Eat a balanced diet, avoiding excess fatty foods and adding fiber.
• Maintain physical activity, even minimal daily exercise helps to improve metabolism.
• Get regular checkups, especially if you are at risk.

Cholelithiasis is not a sentence, but a reminder of the importance of a healthy lifestyle and timely medical attention. Take care of your health and remember: any disease is better prevented than cured.