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**Question:** What is Gallstones (Symptomatic Cholelithiasis)?
**Answer:**
**Gallstones** are hard deposits that form in the gallbladder, a small organ located beneath the liver. They are primarily composed of cholesterol and bile pigments. When gallstones block the flow of bile from the gallbladder into the small intestine, they cause inflammation and pain, resulting in a condition known as **symptomatic cholelithiasis**.
**Keywords:** Gallstones, symptomatic cholelithiasis, gallbladder, bile
**Causes:**
* **High cholesterol levels in bile:** Excess cholesterol can form crystals that aggregate into gallstones.
* **Bile supersaturation:** Too much bile or not enough bile acids can lead to stone formation.
* **Slow gallbladder emptying:** Impaired gallbladder motility can allow bile to become concentrated and form gallstones.
**Risk Factors:**
* **Age:** Risk increases with age
* **Female gender:** Women are more likely to develop gallstones than men
* **Obesity:** Excess weight increases cholesterol production
* **Rapid weight loss:** Rapid weight loss can release excess cholesterol into bile
* **Certain medical conditions:** Diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease
* **Family history:** Having a family member with gallstones increases risk
**Symptoms:**
* **Abdominal pain:** Sudden, severe pain in the upper right abdomen or between the shoulder blades
* **Nausea and vomiting:** Associated with abdominal pain
* **Fever and chills:** If the gallbladder becomes infected due to blocked ducts
* **Dark urine:** Bile pigments may accumulate in urine
* **Light-colored stools:** Obstructed bile flow prevents bilirubin from reaching the intestines
**Diagnosis:**
* **Ultrasound:** Usually the first test used to detect gallstones
* **Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI):** Alternative to ultrasound, especially for diagnosing small stones
* **Other tests:** Blood tests, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
**Treatment:**
* **Observation:** For small, asymptomatic gallstones, observation may be sufficient.
* **Medications:** Ursodeoxycholic acid (Ursodiol) can dissolve small gallstones in some cases.
* **Surgery:** **Cholecystectomy**, the surgical removal of the gallbladder, is the definitive treatment for symptomatic gallstones.
**Prevention:**
* **Maintain a healthy weight:** Obesity increases risk
* **Limit saturated and trans fats:** High levels can increase cholesterol formation
* **Increase dietary fiber:** Fiber helps bind cholesterol and reduce absorption
* **Exercise regularly:** Improves gallbladder function
* **Encourage gallbladder emptying:** Drink plenty of fluids and eat foods that stimulate bile production, such as coffee and citrus fruits
#Gallstones And Gallstones Pain: Symptoms, Causes, And Treatment