Ghassan Al-sabbagh: Symptoms, Treatments, and Prevention of Gallstones

Ghassan Al-sabbagh is a hepatologist and gastroenterologist from North Carolina. Ghassan Al-Sabbagh MD received higher education in biliary disease from 1998 to 1999. Biliary disease is defined as “any pathology affecting the gallbladder and its conduits”.

 A common condition of the gallbladder is gallstones lurking inside one’s gallbladder, which are hard deposits. A gallbladder is a small organ that is responsible for storing bile, a digestive fluid made in the liver. Some people have asymptomatic gallstones, meaning they have no symptoms at all. However, the symptoms may be: pain in the abdomen, fever, nausea, vomiting, clay colored stools or a yellowish tint in skin or eyes, indicating jaundice.

Several procedures of different types are performed for the diagnosis of gallstones. The tests include:

Abdominal CT scan

This is an imaging test taking pictures of one’s abdominal region and liver.

Ultrasound

This can be done to produce images of the abdomen. It is a preferred method to confirm the gallstone disease.

Gallbladder Radionuclide scan

This is a scan, in which a specialist injects into veins, a radioactive substance; and this scan takes around one hour to complete. This substance travels through blood to liver and gallbladder and highlights blockages or infections.

Blood tests

Blood tests can be done to measure bilirubin in the blood and to determine the functioning of the liver.

There are various treatment options used for the removal of stones or improvement in condition, which are:

Medications

Drugs can be prescribed to dissolve cholesterol-caused gallstones. However, medications can take a lot of time or years in the elimination of gallstones.

Surgery

It is the first option considered by a doctor. A common surgery known as laparoscopic gallbladder removal may be performed. It is a procedure in which a surgeon inserts a small lighted device by making incisions in the abdomen, in order to remove the gallbladder.

Ghassan Al-sabbagh Md stresses that a gallstone cannot be prevented, however the risk of having one can be reduced by eating a balanced diet, drinking lots of water every day in order to keep the body hydrated, and not skipping any meals. Rapid weight-loss can also increase the risk of gallstones, therefore, one should try to lose weight slowly and gradually.

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