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Gallstones often go unnoticed until they cause trouble. If a stone blocks your bile duct, it can trigger sudden, intense pain in your upper abdomen or back. Don’t wait for it to get worse. Turn to Pristyn Care for expert diagnosis and timely treatment to avoid serious gallstone complications.
Gallstones often go unnoticed until they cause trouble. If a stone blocks your bile duct, it can trigger sudden, intense pain in your upper ... Read More
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1/3, Sanvid Nagar, near Tilak Nagar, Tempo, Madhya Pradesh 452018 PA Sayed Muhammed Memorial Building, Hospital Rd, opp. Kimaya Clinic, 501B, 5th floor, One Place, SN 61/1/1, 6Gallstone (also known as cholelithiasis) is one of the most common conditions affecting the gallbladder, a small organ located beneath the liver that stores and releases bile, a digestive fluid.
Gallstones are hard, stone-like substances that form when the bile contains too much cholesterol, bilirubin, or bile salts. These stones can range in size and number. Some people may have one large stone, while others may develop multiple smaller stones, also called calculi in the gallbladder.
Many people with gallstones may not have any noticeable symptoms. These are called “silent gallstones” and are often found by chance during tests for other conditions. However, when a gallstone blocks the bile duct, it can lead to a painful episode known as a gallbladder attack or biliary colic.
Common symptoms of gallstone include:
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If you are experiencing any symptoms linked to gallstones or gallbladder discomfort, it is important not to ignore them. In some cases, gallstone can lead to complications that require immediate medical attention.
These may be signs of cholelithiasis or bile stones blocking the normal flow of bile.
The exact cause of gallstones is not always known. However, medical experts believe that they develop when the bile in your gallbladder has an imbalance of certain substances.
Gallstones form when:
Your liver releases cholesterol into bile, a fluid that helps with digestion. If the bile cannot dissolve all the cholesterol, it may form into crystals, which can grow into bile stones.
Bilirubin is a natural substance created when your body breaks down red blood cells. Certain health conditions such as liver cirrhosis, biliary tract infections, or blood disorders can cause your liver to produce too much bilirubin. Excess bilirubin can lead to the formation of gallbladder stones.
If the gallbladder does not empty completely or often enough, bile can become too concentrated. This thickened bile increases the risk of forming calculi in the gallbladder, commonly known as gallstones.
Gallstones vary in type based on what they are made of. The two main types are:
This is the most common type of gallstone. These stones are usually yellow or greenish in colour and are mainly made up of undissolved cholesterol. They can also contain other substances like calcium and bile salts. Cholesterol stones often form when bile contains too much cholesterol and not enough substances to keep it dissolved. These are more common in women and people who are overweight.
These stones are smaller and darker, usually black or brown. They are made up of excess bilirubin, a substance that is produced when the body breaks down red blood cells. Pigment stones are more likely to form in people with liver disease, infections in the bile ducts, or certain blood disorders.
Some people may develop mixed stones, which have both cholesterol and pigment components.
Gallstone can range from mild to severe. The severity depends on the size, location, and complications caused by the gallstones. Here is a simplified overview of the different stages:
The gallbladder may appear normal, but the bile has started to form conditions that can lead to gallstone formation. No stones are present yet.
Small gallstones are present but do not block the bile flow. Most people at this stage experience no symptoms or discomfort.
Stones begin to cause symptoms like gallbladder discomfort, bloating, or pain after eating, often referred to as a gall attack. The bile ducts may be partially blocked.
This advanced stage includes serious complications that need immediate medical care. These include:
If gallstones cause symptoms or complications, surgery is the most reliable solution.
Several factors can increase your chances of developing gallstones. Understanding these can help in recognising who may be more vulnerable to this condition. Here are some common risk factors:
If gallstones are not treated, they can lead to several complications. These can vary in severity and may sometimes require urgent medical attention or surgery. Common complications include:
When a gallstone blocks the neck of the gallbladder, it can lead to swelling and inflammation.
Sometimes, gallstones pass out of the gallbladder and block the common bile duct, a tube that carries bile from the liver and gallbladder to the small intestine.
The pancreatic duct connects with the bile duct just before emptying into the small intestine. If a gallstone gets stuck at this point, it can block the flow of digestive juices from the pancreas, causing pancreatitis.
Long-term gallstone disease increases the risk of developing gallbladder cancer. Though rare, this form of cancer is more likely in individuals with a history of:
Gallstones can be harmless if they don’t cause symptoms. However, if they block the bile ducts, they may cause pain, infection, or inflammation, which can become serious and require medical attention.
Gallstones are quite common in India, affecting millions of people. Factors like diet, obesity, and genetics increase the risk, especially in adults and females.
Gallstone pain, often called a gall attack, is usually a sudden, intense pain in the upper right abdomen or middle of the belly. It may last from a few minutes to several hours and sometimes spreads to the back or right shoulder.
Women may experience gallstone symptoms more frequently, especially during pregnancy or hormonal changes, and are generally at higher risk of developing gallstones than men.
Eating fatty or heavy meals often triggers gallstone pain as the gallbladder contracts to release bile. Stress and rapid weight loss can also worsen symptoms.
Gallstones themselves don’t usually cause tiredness or dizziness. However, complications like infection or blockage can lead to these symptoms, so medical advice is important if they occur.
Common tests include abdominal ultrasound, which is the most effective for spotting gallstones. Other tests like CT scans, MRCP, and ERCP help check for stones in the bile ducts or complications.
Gallstones typically do not disappear without treatment. Small stones may remain symptomless, but if they cause blockage, medical or surgical treatment is usually necessary.
Passing a gallstone can cause sharp pain as it moves through the bile ducts. Some people experience nausea and vomiting, but small stones may pass with minimal discomfort.
No, gallstones form in the gallbladder and bile ducts and do not pass through the urinary system. They exit through the digestive tract if passed naturally.
