GENERAL HEALTH The Truth About Gallstones Dr Jacobus Jordaan, General Surgeon In contrast to their miniscule size, gallstones can cause a lot of big issues. They’re very common and are present in a quarter to a third of Australian adults over 50. Although most people don’t require treatment, some people with gallstones need to have their gallbladder removed through a surgical procedure called a cholecystectomy. Almost 11,000 cholecystectomies were performed in Queensland in 2012-2013. What are gallstones, exactly? When you consume a meal, the food needs to be broken down and absorbed in your gastrointestinal tract, commonly known as the gut. Bile is a substance produced by the liver and is essential for the breakdown and absorption of fats from foods, and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K). Bile is stored within the gallbladder and released into the gut when you eat. The gallbladder lies below the liver in the right upper part of your abdomen, linked to the liver, pancreas and gut through a series of ducts called the biliary tree. Gallstones are solidified particles of cholesterol and/or bile pigment that develop within the gallbladder. They’re caused by the imbalance between the components of bile and can vary in size from a grain of sand to a large pebble. 58 Pindara Magazine 2016
Pindara Private Hospital Magazine - Issue Seven
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