Gallbladder Stones

Bile is the digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. When you eat, the bile is emptied through the bile duct into the small intestine to aid digestion. Gallstones form if your bile contains excessive cholesterol, too much bilirubin, or insufficient bile salts. Such imbalances are caused by certain risk factors including:

• Unbalanced/ fatty/ low-fibre diet
• Family history
• Advanced age (over 40 years)
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Diabetes
• Liver disease
• Losing weight too quickly
• Pregnancy
• Certain medications

Yes, gallbladder stones are highly curable. Through a combination of medications, endoscopic techniques such as ERCP, EUS, and SpyGlass Cholangioscopy, and laparoscopic surgery, it is possible to remove gallstones, ensure pain relief, and prevent formation of future stones.

Yes, gallstones are serious even though may may not always cause problems. While they are silent in the initial stages, there is a risk of them growing within the gallbladder or moving along the bile duct, causing a blockage to the flow of bile. In either case, they become a medical priority that warrant immediate medical attention. If left untreated, this could lead to severe digestive crisis, infection, jaundice, and pancreatitis.

If you notice any of these warning signs, you must seek immediate medical help:

• Persistent, intense abdominal pain
• Severe pain that makes sitting difficult
• Jaundice
• High fever with chills
• Rapid heartbeat
• Low blood pressure

Your dietary choices play a significant role in the chemical balance of your bile. To reduce the risk of gallstones and manage your existing stones, you should avoid:

• High fat foods
• Fried foods
• Refined carbohydrates
• Sugary foods
• Rapid weight loss
• Excessive cholesterol
• Irregular eating habits

To prevent gallstones and manage your existing stones, eat a well-balanced, nourishing diet that is rich in fibres, moderate your fat intake, and stay hydrated.

While oral medications do exist for dissolving small cholesterol stones, the process takes months and even years. These stones often return after the medication course has stopped. Advanced endoscopic interventions and cholecystectomy are preferred methods to treat gallbladder stones.

Dr. Rajiv Grover leverages his sharp clinical acumen, modern medical protocols, and advanced techniques for the removal of gallbladder stones and prevention of future stone formation.

Dr. Grover, a highly regarded ERCP specialist in Ludhiana, is a regional authority in the use of advanced endoscopic techniques such as ERCP, MRCP, EUS, and SpyGlass Cholangioscopy for the location and removal of obstructive gallstones. He individualizes the treatment plan based on the location and severity of gallstones and may include a combination of medical treatments, endoscopic techniques, laparoscopic interventions, biliary drainage, lifestyle optimization and nutritional support.