Best Gallstones Doctors in Kolkata

Gallstones are hardened deposits of digestive fluid that can form within the gallbladder, a small organ located under the liver. The formation of gallstones, also known as cholelithiasis, occurs due to various factors including an excess amount of cholesterol produced by the liver, an inability of the gallbladder to break down surplus bilirubin, or a failure of the gallbladder to fully empty its bile content. These stones can vary in size and frequency.

Kolkata residents can take proactive steps towards maintaining gallbladder health! This can be achieved by incorporating more balanced, fibre-rich diets and engaging in regular physical activity. However, for those in Kolkata already experiencing gallstones, Apollo Hospitals offers a team of dedicated gallstone treatment specialists to guide you towards a healthy future.

Types/Stages of Gallstones

Gallstones can be categorised into different types:

• Cholesterol Stones: These are yellow-green stones primarily composed of undissolved cholesterol. They are the most common type of gallstones.

• Pigment Stones: These are brown or black stones formed when there is an excess of bilirubin in the bile.

Symptoms of Gallstones

The symptoms of gallstones vary and can include:

• Pain in the upper right abdomen or the centre of the stomach, typically after eating fatty foods.

• Jaundice, marked by yellowing skin and eyes.

• Itchy skin

• Diarrhoea

• Loss of appetite.

Tests to Diagnose Gallstones

Gallstone treatment specialists may recommend specific diagnostic tests. These include:

• Blood Tests: To measure levels of certain enzymes or bilirubin.

• Ultrasound: This test is the one most commonly used to look for signs of gallstones.

• Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS): Provides detailed images of the bile ducts.

• Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): ERCP doubles as a diagnostic and treatment tool for bile duct issues.

• Computed Tomography Scan (CT scan): Can show gallstones or complications such as infection and blockage of the gallbladder or bile ducts.

Treatment or Surgery Options for Gallstones at Apollo Hospitals in Kolkata

The best doctors for gallstones at Apollo Hospitals in Kolkata offer various treatment options for patients suffering from gallstones. These include:

• Non-Surgical Treatment: This includes oral dissolution therapy using medications like Ursodiol or Chenodiol, which helps dissolve cholesterol stones over time. However, this treatment may take years to work fully and does not prevent stone recurrence.

• Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (ESWL): This procedure uses shock waves to break down small gallstones

• Surgical Procedures: For more severe cases, definitive surgical intervention like cholecystectomy may be recommended.