Mixed stones
Mixed Gallstones Treatment in Pune & Mumbai
What Are Mixed Gallstones?
Mixed gallstones are the most prevalent gallstones and are made up of a mixture of cholesterol, calcium salts, and bile pigments. These develop in the gallbladder because of an imbalance in the composition of the bile, resulting in the crystallization of solid matter. They may be small or large and of varying quantities and can bring great discomfort if they obstruct the bile ducts.
Signs and Symptoms of Mixed Gallstones
Gall stones usually present with vague symptoms like acidity, bloating, gases or discomfort after meals . Patients may interpret them as indigestion or bowel disturbance. But these are early signs that one may be suffering from gall stone disease. Screening with abdominal sonography is recommended.
Gallstones often go unnoticed in most people, but when stones block the bile flow, they might lead to sharp pain in the abdomen (biliary colic), nausea, vomiting, bloating, and indigestion. In extreme cases, complications like gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis), jaundice, or infections might necessitate emergency medical attention.
Why Do Mixed Gallstones Develop?
Various reasons cause the development of mixed gallstones, such as obesity, cholesterol-rich diet, sudden weight reduction, long periods of fasting, liver illness, and genetic factor. Women, particularly those who take hormonal therapy or birth control pills, have a greater chance due to enhanced estrogen levels impacting bile content.
Effective Treatment Options
While small, symptom-free stones may not require immediate treatment, larger or painful gallstones often need medical intervention. Treatment options include:
- Medications:- Certain bile acid medications may help dissolve small stones, but they are slow-acting and not always effective.
- Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy:- – A minimally invasive surgery to remove the gallbladder, which is the most reliable and permanent solution for gallstones.
- Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP):- Used when gallstones are lodged in the bile duct, allowing their removal without gallbladder surgery.
Why Early Diagnosis and Treatment Are Important?
Untreated gallstones can cause severe complications like acute infections, pancreatitis, and blockage of the bile duct. Early medical treatment eliminates emergency situations and promotes long-term digestive wellness.
Expert Gallstone Treatment at Laparo Obeso Centre
Laparo Obeso Centre, directed by Dr. Shashank Shah, provides advanced laparoscopic and robotic surgery for gallbladder removal with minimal pain and rapid recovery. Equipped with the latest technology and individualized attention, patients are provided with the best treatment for gallstones.
LOC’s Dr Shashank Shah started laparoscopic gall bladder surgery in 1998 as one of the pioneers od laparoscopic surgery in IndiaFAQ'S
Mixed gallstones are the most common type of gallstones found in the gallbladder. As the name suggests, they are composed of a combination of cholesterol, calcium salts, and bile pigments. This mixture gives them a variable appearance and makes them more likely to develop in people with a combination of risk factors like obesity, high cholesterol levels, poor diet, and certain medical conditions.
These stones form when substances in bile, such as cholesterol and bilirubin, become imbalanced and start to crystallize. Over time, these crystals group together to form solid stones. The presence of excess cholesterol, poor gallbladder function, or infections can all contribute to the formation of mixed stones.
People with mixed stones may not always experience symptoms, but when symptoms do appear, they often include upper abdominal pain, especially after meals, nausea, bloating, and sometimes vomiting. In more severe cases, they may lead to inflammation of the gallbladder or blockage of the bile ducts, which can cause more intense pain and fever.
