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Gallstones

Cholelithiasis · Žlučové kameny (cholelitiáza)

What it is

Cholesterol or pigment stones form in the bile; pain when they block the exit.

Symptoms & signs

  • Right upper pain after fatty meals
  • radiating to the right shoulder
  • nausea
  • jaundice if the duct blocks
  • fever in cholangitis

🚩 Get help if…

  • call 112 / 911 now Belly pain with yellow skin or eyes and fever with chills
  • call 112 / 911 now Severe upper belly pain spreading to the back with vomiting
  • see a doctor soon Pain under the right ribs lasting over 6 hours or with fever
  • see a doctor soon Dark urine, pale stools or yellowing skin

Where it strikes

Medical treatment

  • Laparoscopic cholecystectomy
  • ERCP for duct stones
  • ursodeoxycholic acid in selected cases
  • antibiotics for cholecystitis

Natural & lifestyle

  • Lower saturated fat
  • steady weight loss (crash diets cause stones)
  • fibre
  • coffee and moderate nut intake are protective

Emerging & experimental

  • Single-port and robotic cholecystectomy
  • contact dissolution therapy

Alternative, off-label & anecdotal

Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.

  • Gallbladder 'flush' (olive oil, lemon, Epsom salts) — the 'stones' passed are soap-like lumps made from the oil; no stones dissolve not confirmed in trials
  • Regular coffee — observational data link it to fewer gallstones early / small studies
  • Milk thistle, artichoke and dandelion bitters — traditional bile remedies; untested for stones anecdotal / traditional

ICD codes