Gallstones

 Written by: Muhammad Naser Sirat

Gallstones are solid particles that form from bile cholesterol and bilirubin in the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small saclike organ in the upper right part of the abdomen. It is located under the liver. The gallstones might create crucial problems for the patient.

AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some patients and a doctor about this disease.

Fariha, a resident of Kunduz province says: “my gallbladder has stones. When I have pain, I suffer from fever, shivering, nausea, and heartburning.”

Muhammad Sarwar, a resident of Balkh province says: “My gallbladder has stones and I suffer from abdominal pains and when I stand up or sleep down, I feet a bad pain in my feet and in my shoulders.”

Doctor Ruhullah Noorbaik, a urologist in Jamhoriat Hospital, Kabul city says: “The symptoms of gallstone vary according to its problem, if the gallbladder blocks, the upper or the right side of the abdomen might have pain. And if the gallbladder is infected, the patient might suffer from nausea, vomiting, fever with shivering, body ache, heartburn, and indigestion, and if not treated on time, the gallbladder walls might leak or burst and, in this case, the patient might face crucial health problems such as cancers.”

What do people think about the causes of gallstones?

A woman, Zahra says as her father had gallstones, she also suffers from this disease.

Another woman, Maryam, a resident of Shakardara district, Kabul province says: “my gallbladder has stones and I think my fatness(obesity?) is the reason of gallstones.”

Nimatullah, a resident of Kandahar province says: “eating red meat and fats and drinking contaminated water might cause gallstones.”

Doctor Noorbaik says: “the formation of gallstones has different causes. Heredity, fatness, improper food regiment, red meats, fatty foods, not adding vegetables and fresh fruits in daily meals and no exercise might cause the formation of gallstones. Microbes, illnesses like anemia, and taking medicines might cause gallstone to pregnant women.”

How people treat gallstones?

Zarjana, a resident of Badghis province says: “I suffer from the gallstones. I took many kinds of medicines but those medicines did not have any effect on my illness and I came to the hospital for essential treatment.”

Doctor Noorbaik says: “home treatment for gallstones is not recommended because the disease would not be diagnosed at home. The patient must visit a urologist or go to a hospital for essential treatment, otherwise, he/she might face crucial health problems.”