Out of all the people who develop gallstones, only between one and four percent of them develop symptoms. If you aren’t experiencing pain or other symptoms, you generally don’t need treatment!
If your gallstones do cause symptoms, you generally have two courses of action: watchful waiting and surgery. You and your health care professional may decide that it is best to wait and see if the pain and other symptoms go away on their own. Watchful waiting is often the best course if this is your first experience with gallstone pain and the pain is mild. If you aren’t at risk for future problems and you don’t seem to have a blocked duct, your doctor may suggest you wait and see what happens.
Your other option for treatment is usually surgery to remove the gall bladder. For most gallbladder removal procedures, laparoscopic surgery is the best method. This method creates a smaller incision and generally comes with a shorter recovery period; open surgery leaves a larger incision (and often a surgical scar) and requires a longer recovery time.
Some things to consider when choosing a treatment course:
- As much as thirty percent of people who experience gallstone pain once never have another episode.
- Around fifteen percent of people who experience gallstone pain and other symptoms have gallstones in the common bile duct. Gallstones in the common bile duct can cause life threatening complications.
- Among the risks of not treating gallstones include infection and jaundice if a gallstone is blocking one of the ducts that come from the gallbladder.
There is no definite way to prevent the formation of gallstones. However, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Rapid weight loss and weight gain can increase your risk of developing gallstones — especially for women. Slow and steady weight loss is safer when it comes to gallstones.
- Eat balanced meals. Make sure your diet includes plenty of whole grains and fiber. Limit saturated fats and cholesterol. Good fats can help empty the gallbladder and prevent gallstone formation.
- Exercise regularly. Studies have shown that regular exercise can decrease a person’s risk of gallbladder disease by as much as twenty percent.
- Make an educated decision about estrogen. High dose birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy can increase a woman’s risk of developing gallstones. Talk to your health care professional about other options.