User:Mr. Ibrahem/Biliary colic
Medical condition in which gallstones cause acute pain / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Biliary colic, also known as a gallbladder attack, is when a sudden pain occurs due to a gallstone temporarily blocking the bile duct.[3] Typically, the pain is in the right upper part of the abdomen, and it can radiate to the shoulder.[1] Pain usually lasts from one to a few hours.[3] Often, it occurs after eating a heavy meal, or during the night.[3] Repeated attacks are common.[2] About 15% of people with biliary colic eventually develop inflammation of the gallbladder if not treated.[2] Other complications include inflammation of the pancreas.[2]
Biliary colic | |
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Other names | Gallstone attack, gallbladder attack, symptomatic cholelithiasis |
Biliary colic is often related to a stone in the gallbladder | |
Specialty | General surgery |
Symptoms | Right upper abdominal pain[1] |
Complications | Inflammation of the gallbladder, inflammation of the pancreas[2] |
Usual onset | Repeated[2] |
Duration | Few hours[3] |
Risk factors | Obesity, birth control pills, high triglycerides, diabetes, Crohn disease, cirrhosis, sickle cell disease[4] |
Diagnostic method | Ultrasound[5] |
Differential diagnosis | Appendicitis, stomach ulcers, pancreatitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease[3] |
Treatment | Surgery to remove the gallbladder[3] |
Frequency | 0.3% per year (developed world)[2] |
Risk factors include obesity, birth control pills, high triglycerides, diabetes, Crohn disease, cirrhosis, and sickle cell disease.[4] The most common form is cholesterol gallstones.[6] Other forms include calcium, bilirubin, pigment, and mixed gallstones.[6] Diagnosis generally involves ultrasound.[5] Other conditions that produce similar symptoms include appendicitis, stomach ulcers, pancreatitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.[3]
Treatment for gallbladder attacks is typically surgery to remove the gallbladder.[3] This can be either done through small incisions or through a single larger incision.[3] Open surgery through a larger incision is associated with more complications than surgery through small incisions.[7] Surgery is typically done under general anesthesia.[3] In those who are unable to have surgery, medication to try to dissolve the stones or shock wave lithotripsy may be tried.[3] As of 2017,[update] it is not clear whether surgery is indicated for everyone with biliary colic.[7]
In the developed world, 10 to 15% of adults have gallstones.[2] Of those with gallstones, biliary colic occurs in 1 to 4% each year.[2] Nearly 30% of people have further problems related to gallstones in the year following an attack.[2] Women are more commonly affected than men.[4] Older people are more commonly affected.[4] The first clear description of biliary colic was published in 1506 by Antonio Benivieni.[8]