Signs of Gall Stones
The first signs of gallstones are often bloating, nausea or vomiting. The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped organ that stores and distributes bile. Bile is a liquid produced by the liver and aids in the digestion of fat. But when the bladder ducts are blocked with stones, bile cannot circulate. In many cases, the gallbladder must be surgically removed to give the patient relief.
Types
There are two types of gallstones. Pigment stones are made of bilirubin and cholesterol stones are made of cholesterol, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Most gallstones are of the latter variety. Pigment stones can occur in patients with diseases like cirrhosis of the liver and some blood disorders. Cholesterol stones form when there is too much cholesterol in the bile. Gallstones can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball.
Symptoms
There are additional signs of gallstones besides bloating and nausea. According to the Mayo Clinic, gallstone symptoms include sudden and intense pain in the upper right part of the abdomen. The pain can also appear at the center of the abdomen below the breastbone. Gallstones can also cause back pain between the shoulder blades or pain in the right shoulder. The symptoms usually occur when a stone gets stuck in a bile duct. However, some patients experience no symptoms with gallstones.
Complications
Gallstones can cause several problems for the sufferer. Those problems include inflammation of the gallbladder, blockage of the common bile duct and blockage of the pancreatic duct. A blocked pancreatic duct can lead to pancreatitis, or an inflammation of the pancreas. This painful condition can require hospitalization. Additionally, people with a history of gallstones face an increased risk of gallbladder cancer. However, cancer of the gallbladder is a rare condition.
Treatment
Gallstones that cause no symptoms are often left alone. But surgery or medications are required for stones that are symptomatic. Gallstone surgery involves removing the gallbladder since you can live without it. The surgery is usually performed on a same-day basis. Upon removal, bile will flow directly into the liver instead of being stored in your gallbladder. Medications to dissolve stones are used for patients who cannot undergo surgery.
Prevention
The Mayo Clinic lists several ways to reduce the risk of forming gallstones. Don't skip meals. Instead, devise a regular meal plan and stick to it. Exercise frequently because inactivity can lead to gallstones. Rapid weight loss can cause stones, so try to lose only 1 or 2 pounds a week. But obesity is a contributing factor in stone formation. Therefore, strive for a healthy weight and maintain it through regular exercise.
