What are Gallstones?
Gallstones are hardened deposits of digestive fluid that form in the gallbladder or bile ducts. The gallbladder is the small organ responsible for storing bile produced by the liver, which is then released into the small intestine. Gallstones can form in the gallbladder due to an imbalance in the substances that make up bile. These stones can cause various symptoms, including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and digestive issues. Gallstones can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball. If gallstones obstruct bile ducts, they can lead to a severe or life-threatening infection of the bile ducts, pancreas, or liver.
The two main types of gallstones are Cholesterol Gallstones and Pigment Stones. Cholesterol gallstones are the most common type and are not related to cholesterol levels in the blood. Pigment stones occur when red blood cells are destroyed and too much bilirubin is in the bile. Gallbladder pain can feel like a sharp cutting or stabbing pain, and your belly may hurt so bad that you have trouble catching your breath, similar to the feeling of a heart attack.
Gallstone Surgery, technically called a Cholecystectomy, is a procedure in Las Vegas aimed at removing the Gallbladder. Gallstone Surgery involves either removing the gallbladder through traditional open surgery or using minimally invasive techniques such as Laparoscopic surgery. By removing the gallbladder, the source of gallstone-related problems is eliminated, providing relief and preventing future complications.