“What are the treatment options for gallstones?”
I am a 34 year old female who has gallstones and wants them treated. What are the treatment options for gallstones?
2 Answers
Avoid obesity, eat lower calorie meals, less cholesterol, less fat and carbohydrates.
3 options:
1) If you are totally asymptomatic and not a diabetic, you can do nothing except maybe avoid fatty foods and keep your fingers crossed (and remember that MOST patients with gallstones do NOT suffer any negative consequences)
2) Take a medicine called ACTIGALL (ursodiol) which MAY, again MAY, slowly dissolve cholesterol gall stones, or
3) Surgery--laparoscopic cholecystectomy--this is indicated if the patient is clearly having symptoms (i.e., R upper quadrant abdominal pain, cholecystitis, biliary obstruction/infection, or biliary pancreatitis) due to the stones
1) If you are totally asymptomatic and not a diabetic, you can do nothing except maybe avoid fatty foods and keep your fingers crossed (and remember that MOST patients with gallstones do NOT suffer any negative consequences)
2) Take a medicine called ACTIGALL (ursodiol) which MAY, again MAY, slowly dissolve cholesterol gall stones, or
3) Surgery--laparoscopic cholecystectomy--this is indicated if the patient is clearly having symptoms (i.e., R upper quadrant abdominal pain, cholecystitis, biliary obstruction/infection, or biliary pancreatitis) due to the stones
