Gallstones Signs and Symptoms

Gallstones are small, but hard stone like objects, that are formed in the gallbladder due to hardening of the bile components. Bile is synthesized by the liver, mainly for digesting fats. The gallbladder is a small sac like organ located just beneath the liver, on the right side of the abdomen. It acts as the reservoir of bile, until it is required to digest fats in the intestine. When we consume a high fat or cholesterol meal, bile is released by the gallbladder to the bile duct, through which it ultimately reaches the small intestine, and helps to digest fats. Bile is mainly composed of water, bile salts, fats, cholesterol and bilirubin. Gallstones generally develop when the bile contains high concentration of cholesterol and bilirubin.

Types of Gallstones
There are basically two types of gallstones, cholesterol and pigment stones. The cholesterol stones are usually yellow or green in color, and they are mainly formed as a result of hardening of cholesterol found in the bile. They are the most prevalent type of gallstones, accounting for about 80% of the total cases of gallstone formation. A stone to be classified as a cholesterol stone, should have a cholesterol content of about 70 to 80%. On the other hand, the pigment stones are black or dark brown in color, and they are formed due to the presence of excess bilirubin in the bile.

Causes of Gallstone Formation
The most important factor that is the presence of too much cholesterol and bilirubin, and less than the required amount of bile salts in the bile. Another major factor is incomplete as well as less frequent emptying of the galls bladder, which actually causes the bile to become concentrated. This promote crystallization of its components. Generally, it is observed that women have a greater likelihood to develop gallstones, as compared to men. Some notable factors that can put a person at a higher risk are obesity, liver cirrhosis, diabetes, intake of cholesterol lowering drugs, hormone therapy, consumption of high fat and cholesterol diet, presence of protein in the bile, biliary tract infection, sickle cell anemia, hemolytic anemia and a family history of gallstones.

Gallstone Problem
Initially, there may not be any symptom of gallstone formation, until the stone reaches a particular size or obstructs any of the bile duct. Occasionally, a mild and vague pain can be felt in the upper right portion of the abdomen. Sometimes, this pain can radiate to the back, between the shoulder blades, and under the right shoulder. The pain can be steady, lasting for more than hours, or it may subside within a few minutes. If the gallstones block the bile duct, then it can lead to an increase in the pressure in the gallbladder. In such a situation the affected individual can experience fever and chills. When the gallstones obstruct the common bile duct, the condition is termed as choledocholithiasis.

Yellowing of the skin as well as the white of the eyes, are other symptoms of this condition. These signs are produced by the condition, known as jaundice, which in turn, can result from the obstruction of the biliary tree. Similarly, pancreatitis or inflammation of the pancreas can follow, if the gallstones block the pancreatic duct. This condition is known as gallstone pancreatitis. One of the most common gallstone pancreatitis symptoms is an intense abdominal pain, that can spread to the back and the severity of which can increase significantly after eating. Additionally, the abdomen may feel tender, and the affected individual can experience indigestion, nausea and vomiting.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Gallstones
The diagnosis usually begins with a careful study of the symptoms. If formation of gallstone is suspected, then ultrasound examination, CT scan, blood test, cholescintigraphy and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography are carried out to ensure proper diagnosis of the condition. Sometimes, medications may be prescribed to dissolve the gallstones. But, it may take months to completely dissolve them with medications, for which physicians generally suggest surgery, which is termed as cholecystectomy. It can be an open cholecystectomy or laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Gallstones, if remain lodged in the bile ducts for a considerable time period, can lead to some potentially serious complications, like infection of the gallbladder, liver and pancreas. Therefore, recognizing symptoms of this condition and to seek medical attention at the earliest are the crucial factors for preventing such complications. Removal of the gallbladder is considered to be the most effective method for preventing the recurrences of gallstone formation.