Who Is at Risk of Gallstones?

• Obesity,
• A sedentary lifestyle,
• Pregnancy,
• A diet high in fat and cholesterol and low in fiber,
• Genetic predisposition,
• Diabetes,
• Some blood disorders: sickle cell anemia and leukemias,
• Very rapid weight loss,
• Medications containing estrogen,
• Birth control pills and hormones,
• Liver disease,
• The risk increases in women over the age of 40.

COMPLICATIONS OF GALLSTONES

• Inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis)
• Blockage of the common bile duct, which causes severe pain, jaundice and infection of the duct.
• Blockage of the pancreatic duct, which can lead to pancreatitis with severe, persistent pain.
• Gallbladder cancer.

CAN GALLSTONES BE PREVENTED? WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

• Do not skip meals.
• Lose weight slowly.
• Follow a diet rich in high-fiber foods.
• Reach a healthy weight.

HOW ARE GALLSTONES DIAGNOSED?

• Ultrasound examination,
• Endoscopic ultrasound,
• Other imaging methods: computed tomography, ERCP, cholangiography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography
• Blood tests: tests related to infection, jaundice and pancreatitis.

TREATMENT APPROACHES FOR GALLSTONES

• No treatment is needed as long as they do not cause complaints.
• Surgical approach (cholecystectomy): at İzmir Özel Can Hastanesi and Salihli Özel Can Hastanesi, gallbladder surgery is performed laparoscopically (minimally invasive, closed surgery).
• Medical treatment