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23 May 2013 | Last updated 55 days ago.
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Symptoms and management of gallstones

By Mr Jonathan Wilson, Consultant Colorectal and General Surgeon Contact

Mr Jonathan Wilson, Consultant Laparoscopic Colorectal and General Surgeon at The Whittington Hospital and The London Clinic, explains the symptoms of gallstonesLumps of solid matter found in the gallbladder. in detail and describes the diagnostic tests that you may have to confirm that your gallbladderSmall pear-shaped organ that sits under the liver and that stores bile. needs to be removed. He also compares open gallbladder surgery with the newer laparoscopicA keyhole surgical procedure. technique, highlighting the benefits for patients.

Featured conditions

Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is a cancerAbnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. of the lining of the chest wall and lungs. It is usually caused by exposure to asbestos, even for a short period of time, and it occurs many years (even 30 or 40) after the initial exposure took place. Around 2,300 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma in the UK each year.Surgery can play an important role in the treatment of malignantDescribes a tumour resulting from uncontrolled cell division that can invade other tissues and may spread to distant parts of the body. mesothelioma in confirming the diagnosisThe process of determining which condition a patient may have., assessing the spread of the tumourAn abnormal swelling. and in the control of symptoms.

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Gallstones

Gallstones are hard particles that form in the gallbladderSmall pear-shaped organ that sits under the liver and that stores bile.. They affect around 10% of all adults and the condition becomes more likely over the age of 40. The presence of gallstonesLumps of solid matter found in the gallbladder. often causes no problems but the most common sign that gallstones are becoming troublesome is pain in the upper right of the abdomenThe part of the body that contains the stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder and other organs.. Once any sort of symptom develops surgery to remove the gallbladder is the only effective treatment. 

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Chest Infections

A chest infectionInvasion by organisms that may be harmful, for example bacteria or parasites. is a bacterial or viral infection of the airways or lungs. The two main types of chest infection are acuteHas a sudden onset. bronchitisAcute inflammation of the air passages within the lungs, which is the more common and less serious type of infection and pneumoniaInflammation of one or both lungs.. Chest infections can range from being relatively mild to severe and life threatening. Acute bronchitis is the most common type of chest infection, affecting around 4.5% of the UK population each year. The condition is most common during autumn and winter. Pneumonia is less common, affecting just over 1% of people each year in the UK.

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Asthma

Asthma is a common inflammatory disease that affects the airways, causing them to become swollen and sensitive to inhaled substances and irritants. The symptoms of asthmaA respiratory disease featuring attacks of breathlessness and wheezing due to inflammation and narrowing of the upper airways. There is often an allergic component. can range from mild to very severe and include wheezing and breathlessness. For many asthma sufferers airway inflammationThe body’s response to injury. can be controlled effectively with inhaled anti-inflammatoryAny drug that suppresses inflammation drugs, however, for others their asthma remains poorly controlled despite maximum inhaled treatment. For these people identification and control of trigger factors for asthma may help in achieving asthma control.

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Asherman's Syndrome

Asherman’s syndrome is the condition that occurs when scar tissueA type of connective tissue that forms after a wound heals. caused by a surgical procedure forms on the lining of the uterusoften resulting in infertility. Few people have heard of Asherman’s syndrome and although many health professionals believe it to be quite rare, it affects a significant number of women.

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Healthy Interests
Beating Diabetic Foot Ulcers

If a surgeon in the developed world finds himself facing the unpleasant task of amputating a foot, he can be fairly certain, without having to ask, that his patient is a Diabetic. Currently, 15% of all Diabetics will require foot amputation as a result of foot ulcers.

Why do teenagers binge drink?

New research helps to explain why some teenagers are more proneLying face-downwards. to drinking alcohol than others.

Finding the medical specialist who is right for you.

To find the right medical specialist for you click here to search using your own diagnosis.

Medical Consultation Checklist

Modern medicine and technology are enabling patients to be better informed when diagnosed with a medical condition. It is important to make yourself aware of all the treatment options available and that your GP or Consultant answers any questions you may have. By planning for your medical consultation you can ensure that both you and your doctor will get all the necessary information and you will be treated in the most efficient and effective way possible.

This handy checklist provides a list of questions you may wish to ask your doctor and those questions which your doctor is likely to ask you, such as ‘How long have you been experiencing your symptoms?’ and ‘Do your symptoms vary on a daily or weekly basis?’

 
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