Liver Stones

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Liver stones

Content:

• Are there stones in the liver?
• Symptoms of liver stones
• Removal of stones in the liver

One of the most important organs for human life is the liver. It performs a number of functions in the body that cannot be performed artificially. This is its main difference from other organs.

The liver by weight can reach 1500 g. It has a small number of nerve endings, which is another feature of it. Largely for this reason, diseases of this organ, including stones in the liver, are often detected in the later stages.

Are there stones in the liver?

Most often, stones are found in the gallbladder. However, they also occur in the liver. Such cases are less common and require a special approach to treatment. The main reason for the appearance of stones in the liver is changes in the composition of bile, which includes the following components:

• water;
• slime;
• bilirubin;
• cholesterol;
• bile salts;
• enzymes and bacteria.

If the amount of cholesterol increases, then the salts needed to dissolve it are not enough. As a result, dense formations appear. They are called cholesterol and are a type of liver stone. A change in the composition of bile may be associated with an increase in the amount of bilirubin in its composition. Then pigment spots are formed that have a black or cinnamon tint. Cholesterol formations are usually yellow and soft to the touch. Once in the gallbladder, they become hard.

Such formations appear in the form of small crystals that impede the flow of bile. Over time, they grow, either increasing in size or attaching other clots to themselves. This is how real stones are formed. Gradually, they enter the hepatic ducts, blocking them. The movement of bile is disrupted, which in turn negatively affects the digestive processes. In addition, endocrine imbalance and the appearance of various diseases are possible as a result.

Thus, gallstones are most common. In modern medicine, doctors meet with them very often. But stones also appear in the liver, which, according to experts, most residents of large cities have. In most cases, in the absence of pain and discomfort in the liver, they are not even aware of the presence of extraneous formations in the body.

The main reasons for the appearance of stones in the liver:

• improper nutrition and overeating;
• alcohol abuse;
• taking contraceptives, hormonal drugs, as well as those that lower cholesterol;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• infectious liver diseases;
• hormonal disorders.

When a large amount of food enters the body or too frequent meals, the liver cannot cope with the load. This can lead to disorders in the lymphatic and circulatory system. An insufficient supply of blood to the hepatic lobules causes a change in the composition of bile and, as a result, the formation of stones. Therefore, you need to try to eat at the same time, avoid a hearty dinner and not neglect breakfast and lunch.

Symptoms of liver stones

• Hepatic colic;
• dark urine;
• light shade of feces, their sour smell;
• restless state of the patient;
• dry mouth;
• nausea and vomiting;
• constipation;
• heartache;
• fainting and convulsions in some cases;
• brown spots on the skin;
• yellow coating on the tongue.

Hepatic colic manifests itself in the form of boring and burning pain. They can be caused by overeating or a large amount of heavy and fatty foods. Stress also causes discomfort in the liver area, indicating the presence of stones. The pain radiates to the lower back, forearm, subscapularis and even to the right jaw.

For a long time, stones in the liver may not appear in any way. In many cases, the disease is detected too late. Stones in the liver by symptoms can be confused with acute pancreatitis, pneumonia, an attack of angina pectoris. Therefore, when these symptoms appear, you should immediately contact a specialist.

On the subject: List of permitted and prohibited products for the liver

Removal of stones in the liver

In modern medicine, there are several methods of dealing with liver stones. In some cases, they are crushed with drugs. In this case, it is necessary to take medications for a long period of time. This is dangerous, because even if the stones collapse to the state of sand, the cause of their formation will not be eliminated. It is possible that taking medications will not give the desired effect, and the disease will be neglected and complications will arise.

Liver stones are crushed by ultrasound. This method is considered effective, but only when the formations are not too large. Otherwise, the fragments left after crushing the stones can block the ducts, lead to their injury or damage to the gallbladder. Removing them from the body is painful for the patient.

Similar to ultrasonic crushing, the laser acts on stones. Medical devices are inserted through small incisions into the body, with the help of which the formations in the liver are destroyed. This procedure requires the work of a highly qualified specialist with sufficient experience in carrying out such operations. Incorrect movement can cause laser exposure to mucous membranes and cause severe burns. As with ultrasonic crushing, the removal of stone fragments from the patient's body causes significant discomfort.

The most common and effective method today is surgical intervention. Previously, the operation was performed with an incision in the abdominal wall. However, it has now been replaced by laparoscopic surgery. During it, several peritoneal punctures are made. This avoids a lot of blood loss and reduces the risk of complications. An important advantage of this method is the rapid rehabilitation of the patient after surgery.

There is an opinion that you can get rid of stones in the liver using folk methods. However, you should consult your doctor before using natural remedies. Most often, surgery is the only effective treatment.

The author of the article: Gorshenina Elena Ivanovna | Gastroenterologist

Education: Diploma in the specialty "General Medicine" received at the Russian State Medical University named after N. I. Pirogova (2005). Postgraduate studies in the specialty "Gastroenterology" - educational and scientific medical center.