PHGY 216 Independent Research Assignment

Name: Jena Dorrington

Student Number: 20167926
Gallstones
How Do I Know If I Have Gallstones?
What Are Gallstones?
It is possible to experience little to no symptoms if
Gallstones are characterized as hardened deposits
you have gallstones. However, if these gallstones
derived from bile which is a digestive fluid that is
cause a blockage by getting stuck in one of the ducts,
produced in the liver and it is stored in the
then some common symptoms and signs include1;
gallbladder. There are two main types of gallstones;
➢ Nausea or vomiting
cholesterol and pigment stones. Roughly 80% of
➢ Pain in the right shoulder or back
gallstones turn out to be cholesterol stones which are
➢ Pain in the upper or central abdominal
predominantly made of cholesterol, a waxy-like
regions, often experienced more on the right
substance required by the body to build and maintain
side
healthy cells. Meanwhile, pigment stones are
➢ Other digestion issues (indigestion,
composed of bile salts and bilirubin, a compound that
heartburn, etc)
is produced during the normal breakdown of the red
Figure 2: Overview of Biliary Tract
blood cells. Currently the cause behind gallstone
formation is not fully understood, however
researchers suggest that it could occur when there is1;
➢ A higher than normal concentration of
cholesterol or bilirubin in the bile
➢ More concentrated bile due to the
gallbladder not fully emptying
Some risk factors that may increase an individual’s
risk of developing gallstones include1;
➢ Genetics
➢ Obesity
➢ Pregnancy
➢ Specific medications
➢ Experiencing other medical conditions Credit: https://radiologykey.com/the-biliary-tree/
➢ Prolonged fasting What Do Gallstones Affect?
Figure 1: Overview of Gallstone Location Gallstones are one of the most prevalent medical
conditions that affects the body’s biliary system. The
biliary tract consists of the liver, bile ducts and
gallbladder and each part of the system plays a role in
the production, secretion and storage of bile. Bile is a
very important digestive fluid that is made of
electrolytes, bile salts, bile pigments, cholesterol, and
other lipids. The two main functions of bile include
helping the digestion of fats and the elimination of
waste products, such as excess cholesterol and
hemoglobin, from the body1. When bile is released
from the liver, it flows through the right and left
hepatic ducts which merges to form the common bile
duct. The bile moves through this common hepatic
Credit:https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/g duct, past the Oddi sphincter, and into the duodenum
allstones segment of the small intestine. In between meals,
roughly half of the bile produced in the liver moves
to the small intestine and the other half is redirected
to the cystic duct and into the gallbladder where it is
stored. Once food enters the small intestine, a mix of
nerve and hormonal signals causes the gallbladder to
contract, forcing the bile into the duct system and into
the small intestine2.
What Do Gallstones Do To The Body?
Gallstones can vary in size, shape, and quantity and
typically occur when the bile becomes too
concentrated and with time, small crystal like
structures may form. These small structures get
lodged in the gallbladder’s mucus, and eventually
grow and solidify into gallstones. Most patients that
have gallstones are asymptomatic, although studies
show that roughly 10% of these patients will
experience some symptoms within 5 years1. In certain
cases, the gallstone(s) may move into the cystic duct
opening, blocking the flow of bile from the
gallbladder into the biliary ducts. If this duct remains
blocked for several hours, it can cause inflammation
in the gallbladder wall. The gallstone may also move
into the bile duct, causing obstruction of the bile’s
movement. These bile obstructions lead to the
buildup of bile in the liver and gallbladder and so the
patient may develop jaundice, which is the yellowing
of the skin due to the increased levels of bilirubin in
the blood1. Compared to the healthy physiological
state of the biliary system, the presence of gallstones
and the possible obstruction of the biliary ducts puts a
lot of stress on this system which can lead to the
patient experiencing progressive and worsening
symptoms if not treated quickly. The imbalance of
the components that make up the bile indicates
homeostasis impairment and as a result, multiple
systems could be affected. For instance, gallstones
can affect the body’s digestive system because, as
mentioned earlier, one of bile’s main functions is to
break down fat in the small intestine. If there is a
blockage due to the presence of gallstones, the bile
can no longer access the small intestine, and so fats
cannot be emulsified and broken down, thereby
affecting fat absorption1.
What Can I Do About Gallstones?
Treatment for gallstones vary depending on the
patient’s symptoms and situation. Due to frequent
gallstone recurrence, the typical course of treatment
for gallstones is a cholecystectomy, a surgical
procedure involving the removal of the gallbladder.
This form of treatment is minimally invasive with
low complication risk and it is the most effective way
to prevent future gallstone formation. After surgery,
patients can expect to experience some soreness and
the average recovery time is 7 to 10 days3.The
absence of a gallbladder does not impact the body’s
digestive capabilities, although consuming large
amounts of high fat foods may be more difficult to
digest. Instead of bile being stored in the gallbladder,
bile will simply flow directly from the liver to the
small intestine. Other forms of treatment include oral
medications which act to dissolve the gallstones over
time. However, this tends to be a lengthy process and
it does not stop the reformation of gallstones after
treatment has ended3.
Where Can I Go To Learn More About
Gallstones?
(1) Healthline-
https://www.healthline.com/health/gallstone
s
(2) Medical News Today-
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/
153981
Action Plan
➢ Only gallstones that are blocking the biliary
ducts cause patients to express symptoms
➢ Be aware of the possible symptoms related
to gallstones, especially if you possess some
of the associated risk factors
➢ If diagnosed with gallstones, avoid high fat
foods until fully treated
➢ Consult a medical professional as to what
the best course of treatment would be
References
1.Jones, M. (2021, February 08). Gallstones
(Cholelithiasis). Retrieved April 16, 2021, from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459370/
2. Lindenmeyer, C. (n.d.). Gallbladder and biliary tract -
liver and gallbladder disorders. Retrieved April 16, 2021,
from
https://www.merckmanuals.com/en-ca/home/liver-and-gal
lbladder-disorders/biology-of-the-liver-and-gallbladder/ga
llbladder-and-biliary-tract
3.Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery for gallstones. (n.d.).
Retrieved April 16, 2021, from
https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/hw106860#:~:t
ext=Most%20people%20can%20return%20to,precautions
%20are%20needed%20after%20surgery