You may never have another attack. Waiting to see what happens usually won't cause problems. If you have a second attack, you may want to have your gallbladder removed.
A second attack means you're more likely to have future attacks. Many people have their gallbladders removed. And the body works fine without a gallbladder. Surgery to remove the gallbladder cholecystectomy is the treatment of choice for gallstones that cause moderate to severe pain or other symptoms. Symptoms usually don't return after the gallbladder is removed. If you have certain health problems, surgery may also be done even if you don't have symptoms.
In a small number of cases, surgery may be done to prevent other problems from gallstones. Laparoscopic surgery is the most common way to remove the gallbladder. A doctor puts a lighted viewing tool and surgical tools into your belly through several small cuts. People who have this surgery usually recover in about 1 week. Open surgery involves one larger cut. The gallbladder is removed through this cut. It may be done if laparoscopic surgery isn't an option.
Or it may be done when other problems are found during laparoscopic surgery. This type of surgery requires a longer recovery period. It also causes more pain. Vanagunas MD - Gastroenterology. Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: E. PeaceHealth endeavors to provide comprehensive health care information, however some topics in this database describe services and procedures not offered by our providers or within our facilities. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor.
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Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Skip to main content. Health Information Library. Condition Basics What are gallstones? What causes them? What are the symptoms?
How are they diagnosed? How are gallstones treated? How can you prevent them? Stay at a healthy weight. If you need to lose weight, do so slowly and sensibly. Eat regular, balanced meals. Be active, and exercise regularly.
Health Tools Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health. Decision Points focus on key medical care decisions that are important to many health problems. Cause Gallstones develop when cholesterol and other substances in the bile form crystals that become hard stones in the gallbladder. What Increases Your Risk Your chances of forming gallstones that can cause symptoms are higher if you: Are female.
Females are twice as likely as males to have gallstones. Are older than Are Native American or Mexican-American. Have a family history of gallstones. You may also be increasing your risk for gallstones if you: Are overweight. Lose weight rapidly or lose weight by dieting and then gain weight back again. Are pregnant. Are taking estrogen after menopause or high-dose birth control pills. When you consume food, the stomach releases a hormone that causes the muscles around the gallbladder to contract and release the bile.
Bile helps break down fat during digestion. Some of those substances, such as cholesterol, can pack together and form gallstones ranging in size from that of a grain of sand to a golf ball. When gallstones get stuck while traveling through the duct tube to the stomach, they block the outflow of bile, which causes the gallbladder to spasm.
This usually leads to sharp pain, like being cut by a knife, under the rib cage in the upper right side or center of the abdomen. The pain can be so severe that it takes your breath away.
You might mistake it for a heart attack, says Efron. Other common symptoms of a gallbladder attack include:. The attacks usually last several hours.
The pain typically subsides once the gallstone has passed. Several serious conditions, like heart attacks, ulcer perforations and appendicitis, have similar symptoms to gallstones and need to be ruled out. Gallstones can cause significant pain. Here are nine natural treatments you might want to try to get rid of them. Sleeping on your left side can help manage pain caused by gallstones if you have a clogged bile duct.
Learn about other pain relief remedies and when…. Here are things to consider. Alcohol is a known risk factor for many health conditions. However, research has shown that moderate alcohol consumption may actually help prevent…. Your gallbladder, located in your upper right abdomen, is an important part of your biliary system. Learn more about the function of your gallbladder…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. Gallbladder pain Other symptoms Conditions with similar pain When to seek help Pain relief Takeaway Gallbladder pain can be sudden, intense, and severe.
The good news is there are treatments to effectively relieve gallbladder pain. What does gallbladder pain feel like? Share on Pinterest. What other symptoms may accompany gallbladder pain? Are there other conditions that mimic gallbladder pain? When should you call a doctor or go to the emergency room? Read this next. Identifying Gallbladder Problems and Their Symptoms.
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