Specialist Doctor for Gall Stone Treatment in Ludhiana: Symptoms, Surgery & Care

Gallbladder stones, also known as gall stones, are a common health problem in women, people over the age of 40, and people suffering from obesity. The condition is seven times more common in North India than in the southern parts of the country. Punjab, which is one of the most prominent states in Northern India, reports a high incidence of gallstones among its population. The most common reasons for gallstones in Punjab include environmental factors, a fat-rich diet, and genetic predisposition of the population. 

Ludhiana, which is a major city in Punjab, also experiences a high incidence of gallstones. The MASSH PROLIFE Hospital in Ludhiana is home to the top specialist doctors for gallstone treatment. To help you understand treatment options better, let’s take a deep dive into what gallstones are, their symptoms, and surgical options. We’ll also be learning about the common causes, risk factors, and preventative measures of gallstones.

What are Gallstones?

Gallstones are hardened bile deposits in your gallbladder. The term ‘Gall’ in gallstone refers to bile. So, in most cases, gallstones are bile stones. The function of the gallbladder is to store bile for later use.

When the stored bile in your gallbladder can leave sediment, which can crystallise and form stones over time. These stones are generally asymptomatic unless they start traveling down your biliary tract and get lodged in the tract. In such cases, gallstones can cause immense pain and other medical complications.

To summarise, gallstones are small crystalline structures developed due to various internal health factors. External factors like a high-fat diet and obesity can also increase your risk of developing gallstones.

Important Symptoms of Gallstones

One of the most important things about gallstones is that they can be asymptomatic. So, it is crucial to spot the symptoms when they appear, as symptoms are proof of advanced gallstone development. The presence of gallstones is generally linked to bile residue in the gallbladder. So, by themselves, gallstones do not cause any symptoms or health concerns. When the stones start travelling down the biliary tract and get stuck in any part, that generally causes the symptoms to start appearing. Here are some of the most common gallstone symptoms.

• Abdominal pain and swelling
• Yellowing of the skin
• Frequent sweating
• Fever and a faster heart rate
• Darker urine and stool that’s lighter in colour than normal

When Should You Visit a Specialist Doctor for Gallstones in Ludhiana

The symptom that will, in most cases, require you to get medical help is sharp abdominal pain in the upper right side of your abdomen. The pain that’s caused by gallstones is localised. The pain can be constant or sudden. The type of pain you experience can help doctors determine the extent of gallstones. 

Specialist doctors for gallstones in Ludhiana can help you diagnose the underlying problem and help you get the required treatment in due time. It is important to note that in most cases, 3D laparoscopic surgery is the safest and best treatment option recommended for gallstones. The MASSH PROLIFE Hospital specialises in safe and quick 3D laparoscopic surgery for gallstones.

Common Risk Factors of Gallstones

As gallstones can be asymptomatic for the most part, identifying their risk factors is important for timely diagnosis and treatment. Knowing the risk factors of gallstones, along with symptoms like sharp pain in the upper right side of your abdomen, can help doctors expedite diagnosis. The common risk factors of gallstones are described below.

• Age: People over the age of 40 are at a higher risk of gallstones. This is because gallstones do not form overnight. For the stones to form and become large enough to stop bile flow, it may take years. This is why the risk of gallstones increases with age, especially in people who don’t follow preventative measures.
• Sex: People assigned female at birth (AFAB) are at a higher risk of gallstones because of the higher levels of oestrogen in their bodies. The hormones oestrogen and progesterone play a crucial role in the risk development for gallstones.
• Lifestyle and dietary risks: A sedentary lifestyle combined with a diet rich in saturated fats and low in fibre increases your risk for gallstones. High consumption of refined sugar, as well as obesity, significantly increases the risk for gallstones.
• Medical conditions: Insulin resistance, diabetes, and high triglyceride levels all increase the risk of gallstones. Apart from that, diseases like Crohn’s disease and acute hemolysis are also known gallstone risk factors.

Surgical Treatment Options for Gallstones in Ludhiana

Surgical treatment is the true long-term treatment option for gallstones in Ludhiana. Medicinal treatment has limited efficacy in dissolving gallstones. Gallstone removal, which requires the surgical removal of the gallbladder from your body, is a safe surgery. At MASSH PROLIFE Hospital in Ludhiana, the surgery is completed in less than 30 minutes, ensuring safe and quick recovery for patients. Here are the most effective surgical treatment options for gallstone treatment in Ludhiana.

3D Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

3D laparoscopic surgery is the gold-standard for gallstone removal. The surgery is safe and aids quick recovery with permanent treatment for gallstones. The surgical process involves making several small 1-2 cm incisions in the abdomen of the patient and inserting laparoscopic surgical tools inside the body. A special camera is inserted into the surgery site that allows surgeons to get a 3D view of the patient’s body. The depth perception allowed by 3D laparoscopic surgery helps surgeons offer more precise surgery with minimal bleeding and risk of damage to surrounding structures. This level of precision allows for quick recovery and safe surgical outcomes.

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

ERCP is a non-invasive procedure that can be used to remove the gallbladder. The surgery involves inserting a camera inside the body endoscopically (through the mouth) to perform the surgery. ERCP is generally used not only to remove the gallbladder, but also place stents in the biliary tract to prevent it from collapsing. It is a highly advanced surgery with very little risk. The surgery can even be performed on an outpatient basis, with surgery times taking as low as 30 minutes. ERCP requires minimal preparation from patients and allows quick recovery, as there are no incisions made into the patient's body.

For more information about surgical treatments for gallstones, and to consult with the top specialist doctors for gallstone treatment in Ludhiana, check out MASSH PROLIFE Hospital.

Gallstone Prevention Tips in Ludhiana

As gallstones take years to form and block your biliary tract, preventative measures can actually help you lower your risk levels and live a healthier life overall. Here are some of the most common gallstone prevention tips in Ludhiana.

• Maintain a healthy body weight and consult with your doctors for weight management if required
• Exercise regularly to keep your heart health and cholesterol levels in check
• Eat more fibre with your meals to improve health and lower the risk of gallstones
• Hydrate regularly to prevent bile concentration and dehydration
• Limit the consumption of refined carbohydrates, saturated fats, and sugar

Final Thoughts

MASSH PROLIFE Hospital proudly hosts the top specialist doctors for gallstone treatment in Ludhiana. Experienced professionals like Dr Harpreet Singh Jolly, with over 25 years of experience, lead the 3D laparoscopic surgery efforts at MASSH PROLIFE Hospital. The experienced team and the world-class infrastructure of the hospital have allowed patients to get their required surgical treatment in no time. To consult our specialist doctors for gallstone treatment in Ludhiana, check out our website or visit us anytime. We can help you diagnose, treat, and prevent gallstones effectively.

FAQs For Specialist Doctors for Gallstone Treatment in Ludhiana

1. Are gallstones painful?

Gallstones are not inherently painful. However, if they get stuck in your biliary tract and stop the flow of bile in your body, they can be painful. In such cases, it is crucial to get adequate medical attention quickly to prevent further complications.

2. What is the best gallstone treatment?

The best treatment for gallstones is 3D laparoscopic surgery. It involves removing the gallbladder from the body, which permanently treats gallstones. 3D laparoscopic surgery is very safe and can be completed in less than 30 minutes to ensure a quick recovery for patients.

3. What is the best way to prevent gallstones?

The best way to prevent gallstones is to maintain a healthy diet that’s rich in dietary fibre, limit the consumption of refined carbohydrates, sugar, and saturated fats. And lastly, maintaining a healthy body weight and exercising regularly while hydrating well.

4. When can I go back to work after gallstone surgery in Ludhiana?

After a gallstone surgery, you can go back to work in a week if your job doesn’t involve heavy lifting or strenuous physical activity. Gallstone surgery is safe and allows quick recovery when you get it from leading medical institutions in Ludhiana, like MASSH PROLIFE Hospital.

5. Why should I visit MASSH PROLIFE Hospital for gallstone surgery?

The MASSH PROLIFE Hospital offers 3D laparoscopic surgery for gallbladder removal. It is significantly safer than a normal laparoscopic surgery, and it also allows quicker recovery, lower bleeding, and a lower risk of damage to surrounding structures.