Gallstones

What are gallstones?

Gallstones form when bile stored in the gallbladder hardens into stone-similar material. Too much cholesterol, bile salts, or bilirubin (bile pigment) can crusade gallstones.

When gallstones are present in the gallbladder itself, it is called cholelithiasis. When gallstones are present in the bile ducts, it is chosen choledocholithiasis. Gallstones that obstruct bile ducts can lead to a astringent or life-threatening infection of the bile ducts, pancreas, or liver. Bile ducts tin can also be obstructed by cancer or trauma, but this is not related to gallstones.

What causes gallstones?

Cholesterol stones are believed to form when bile contains also much cholesterol, too much bilirubin, not enough bile salts, or when the gallbladder does not empty as information technology should for some other reason.

Paint stones tend to develop in people who take cirrhosis, biliary tract infections, and hereditary blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia. The causes of these stones are uncertain.

What are the symptoms of gallstones?

At showtime, most gallstones practice non cause symptoms. All the same, when gallstones become larger, or when they begin obstructing bile ducts, symptoms or "attacks" begin to occur. Attacks of gallstones usually occur later a fatty meal and at night. The following are the virtually common symptoms of gallstones. Nonetheless, each individual may feel symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

  • Steady, severe pain in the upper abdomen that increases rapidly and may terminal from 30 minutes to several hours

  • Pain in the back between the shoulder blades

  • Hurting in the right shoulder

  • Nausea

  • Vomiting

  • Fever

  • Chills

  • Jaundice. A yellowing of the skin or eyes.

  • Abdominal bloating

  • Intolerance of fat foods

  • Belching or gas

  • Indigestion

People who feel the following symptoms should consult their dr. immediately:

  • Sweating

  • Chills

  • Low-grade fever

  • Yellowish color of the skin or whites of the eyes

  • Clay-colored stools

Some people with gallstones do non have any symptoms. These stones are called "silent stones," because they do not interfere with the role of the gallbladder, liver, or pancreas, and do non require treatment in most cases.

The symptoms of gallstones may resemble other weather condition or medical problems, such equally heart attack, appendicitis, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, hiatal hernia, pancreatitis, or hepatitis. Always consult your wellness care provider for a diagnosis.

Who is affected by gallstones?

The following are suggested adventure factors for gallstones:

  • Obesity. Obesity is a major risk factor for gallstones, peculiarly in women.

  • Estrogen. Excess estrogen from pregnancy, hormone replacement therapy, or nascence control pills appears to increment cholesterol levels in bile and decrease gallbladder movement, both of which can pb to gallstones.

  • Ethnicity. Native Americans accept the highest rates of gallstones in this land and seem to have a genetic predisposition to secrete high levels of cholesterol in bile.

  • Gender. Women are twice every bit likely to develop gallstones than men.

  • Age. People over 60 are more likely to develop gallstones than younger people.

  • Cholesterol-lowering drugs. Drugs that lower cholesterol in blood tin can actually increase the amount of cholesterol secreted in bile, which, in turn, increases the risk of gallstones.

  • Diabetes. People with diabetes generally have high levels of fatty acids, called triglycerides, which increase the risk for gallstones.

  • Rapid weight loss. Equally the trunk metabolizes fat during rapid weight loss, information technology causes the liver to secrete extra cholesterol into bile, which can cause gallstones.

  • Fasting. Fasting decreases gallbladder movement, which causes the bile to go overconcentrated with cholesterol.

Picture of a patient in a scanner

How are gallstones diagnosed?

In some cases, asymptomatic gallstones are discovered by accident--during testing for another diagnosis. However, when pain persists or happens again and again, your wellness care provider may desire to conduct a complete medical history and physical exam, in improver to the post-obit diagnostic procedures for gallstones:

  • Ultrasound. A diagnostic technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to create an prototype of the internal organs.

  • Cholecystography. X-ray that shows the flow of contrast fluid through the intestines into the gallbladder.

  • Claret tests. These wait for signs of infection, obstruction, jaundice, and/or pancreatitis.

  • Computed tomography scan (likewise called a CT or CAT scan). A diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of X-rays and figurer technology to produce horizontal, or centric, images (frequently chosen slices) of the torso. A CT browse shows detailed images of any role of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than general Ten-rays.

  • Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). A process that involves inserting an endoscope (viewing tube) through the stomach and into the pocket-size intestine. A special dye injected during this procedure shows the ducts in the biliary arrangement.

  • Sphincterotomy. Opening the muscle sphincter, a ring of muscle around a natural opening that acts like a valve, broad enough so stones can laissez passer into the intestine.

Treatment for gallstones

Specific treatment for gallstones will exist determined by your health care provider based on:

  • Your age, overall health, and medical history

  • Extent of the condition

  • Your tolerance of specific medicines, procedures, or therapies

  • Expectations for the course of the condition

  • Your stance or preference

If the gallstones cause no symptoms, treatment is normally not necessary. However, if hurting persists, treatment may include:

  • Gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy). Once removed, the bile flows directly from the liver to the small intestine. Side effects of this may include diarrhea because the bile is no longer stored in the gallbladder.

  • Oral dissolution therapy. Drugs made from bile acid are used to dissolve the stones.

  • Methyl-tert-butyl ether. A solution injected into the gallbladder to dissolve stones.

  • Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL). A procedure that uses shock waves to break stones up into tiny pieces that can pass through the bile ducts without causing blockages.

  • Contact dissolution therapy. An experimental procedure that involves injecting a drug directly into the gallbladder to dissolve the stones.