Does My Dad Have Gallstones?

Tampa FL

28 June, 2021

9:56 AM

Description

By Gastro MD A time will come when you realize that your dad has grown older and more prone to health issues. He may not be as active as he once was or now complains about constant aches and pains. When this starts to happen, it may be up to you to help your dad become more mindful of his physical condition—and take action. When it comes to men’s health, gallstones are a common concern, affecting about one in 10 men. Therefore, your dad may be at risk, especially if he’s older and has a medical condition that increases his chances of developing gallstones. Leaving gallstones untreated can lead to gallbladder infection and life-threatening complications such as cholecystitis and sepsis. The risk of gallbladder cancer also increases for those with a history of gallstones. Warning Signs of Gallstones Gallstones develop due to an imbalance in the gallbladder’s chemical make-up. Cholesterol levels in the bile can become excessive to the point they form hardened deposits that resemble sand or stones. Here are some of the warning signs and symptoms of gallstones: Abdominal pain and tenderness Patients who have experienced gallstone pain describe it as a sudden pain in the upper right portion of the abdomen that rapidly intensifies. The pain may last for up to an hour and be accompanied by nausea to the point of vomiting. Some have also reported that abdominal pain is accompanied by pain in their shoulder blades, particularly the right shoulder. High fever and chills Gallstones range in size, with some as small as a grain of sand, while others can be as large as a golf ball. A gallstone may block the gallbladder’s connection to the liver, preventing bile flow and causing an infection. Bile duct inflammation can cause a fever, shakes and chills. Jaundice One of the tell-tale signs of an infection is jaundice, which turns the skin and the white of the eyes yellow. Jaundice can occur when gallstones block the bile duct and prevent digestive juices from flowing to the pancreas. Pale-colored stool Stools that are pale or resemble the color of clay signal a problem with drainage in the biliary system. The culprit may be a gallstone blocking the bile duct. How to Diagnose and Treat Gallstones Many people live with gallstones and never have symptoms; they may only discover the stones when tested for other health conditions. Be proactive; before Dad shows symptoms or experiences pain, go with him to get scanned for gallstones. If you suspect gallstones, your father’s physician may order any of these tests: Ultrasound examComputerized tomography (CT) scanCholescintigraphy (HIDA scan)Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)Blood tests Gallstones that don’t cause symptoms typically don’t need to be removed or treated. But if the gallstones cause frequent, painful attacks, the physician may recommend surgery. There are also non-surgical treatments such as oral dissolution therapy and contact dissolution therapy. If you suspect that your dad may have gallstones, contact Gastro MD in Tampa. We are a cutting-edge clinical gastroenterology practice and set the standard in digestive health care.