Cholelithiasis & Choledocholithiasis Treatment
When gallstones form inside the gallbladder, they can cause a variety of problems. These hard “stones” can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball, irritating the gallbladder tissue and increasing risks of blocking the bile duct that connects the gallbladder and small intestines. Two gallbladder conditions that involve gallstones are cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis. Treatment for gallbladder disorders is available through Danny Shouhed, M.D. at our clinic in Los Angeles.
Cholelithiasis is a medical term for the formation of gallstones in the gallbladder. It is estimated that 10% of women and 6% of men have this disorder. Substances in the bile and blood can collect in the gallbladder, concentrating to make hard stones. Calcium, bile salts, cholesterol and bilirubin are some of the ingredients that can form gallstones. While cholelithiasis does not cause pain or symptoms on its own, these gallstones can cause bile duct blockages, or choledocholithiasis.
Choledocholithiasis Symptoms and Treatments
When cholelithiasis occurs, it can lead to choledocholithiasis, a blockage of the bile duct in the gallbladder by gall stones. The two conditions are linked – the gall stones are responsible for creating choledocholithiasis and the problems in the body when the bile is not released from the gallbladder. The symptoms include pain in the upper right abdomen area where the gallbladder is located, with accompanying fever and nausea. Patients may also experience jaundice and clay-colored stools due to the blockage. Treatment requires removal of the gallstone blocking the bile duct or a cholecystectomy to prevent tissue death and other serious complications.
Danny Shouhed, M.D. offers advanced cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis treatments at our clinic in Los Angeles, including minimally-invasive cholecystectomy. Contact our office to schedule a consultation with Danny Shouhed, M.D. to discuss your gallbladder disorder.