Gallstones: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment of Gallstones

Overview of Gallstones
Ever wondered what a gallstone really is? Are these actually stones or crystals that get accumulated with our food, or is it a disease in which stones forms inside the body?

Simply said, ‘gallstones’, also called cholelithiasis are lumps of solid material formed in the gallbladder, a pear-shaped bag in the body that stores bile juices needed for digestion of fatty food. They are generally as big as peas, but sometimes grow to the size of pebbles. Gallstones can be found in the gallbladder itself or in the bile duct that connects the gallbladder to the small intestine. In USA, nearly 10% of the adult population has gallstones.¹

Signs and Symptoms of Gallstones
The main symptom is gallstone ‘attack’, or biliary colic. The affected person experiences intense pain in the upper abdominal region that steadily increases,duration could be 30 min to several hours. Pain in the back, between the shoulder blades, or near the pelvis, along with nausea and vomiting also occurs in extreme conditions. Other symptoms include abdominal bloating, intolerance to fatty foods, belching, gas and indigestion.

Types of Gallstones
Gallstones occur in different sizes and have different appearances. This depends on their content.They are primarily of two types:

Cholesterol stones (generally green, but can be white or yellow) are made primarily of cholesterol
Pigment stones are dark in color. These are made of bilirubin (a bile pigment) and calcium salts
Black pigment stones
Brown pigment stones

Causes of Gallstones
Different kinds of stones have different causes and different risk factors. Cholesterol stones are believed to be more common among Fat and Fertile Females of Forty years and above.
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Complications of Gallstones
Gallstones lead to painful conditions but can be treated surgicallyor with medicine in most of the cases. But sometimes, they can lead to secondary complications such as

Biliary tract infections
Jaundice
Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
Gallbladder cancer

Diagnosis and Tests of Gallstones
When one visits the doctor with symptoms of gallstone, he or she may suggest an ultrasound examination as the diagnostic test. It uses sound waves to create images of the internal organs and pinpoint the location of any stone.

Blood and/or urine tests are also advised in some cases to check for signs of infection, inflammation, jaundice or problems with the pancreas.The patient may also be advised to undergo one of the following tests:

Computerized tomography (CT) scan: Computer generated X-rays provide a comprehensive view of the gallbladder and its surrounding organs.
Radionuclide scan (cholescintigraphy, hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan): A radioactive tracer material is injected through a vein. The gallbladder is then scanned to see if the tracer reaches it. If it does not, a stone is probably blocking the opening of the gallbladder.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): This is done to locate and remove stones in the duct. A flexible endoscope is passed down the throat, through the stomach and into the upper part of the small intestine. The intestinal tract is inflated with air so that the bile duct and the pancreatic duct can be easily seen. A dye is then injected through a hollow cannula that passes through the endoscope. X-rays of the ducts are then taken. If there is a stone in the duct, it is cut down with a specialized instrument and removed through the endoscope.

Treatment of Gallstones

Surgery
Nonsurgical Options
Home Treatment
Alternative Therapies

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Prevention of Gallstones
To prevent initial or recurrent development of gallstones, try the following:

Eat three well-balanced meals everyday
Eat a diet that is high in fiber and calcium
Avoid saturated fats and refined carbohydrates
Drink at least 8 –10 glasses of water every day
Maintain healthy body weight
Exercise for at least 30 min 5 days a week
Avoid taking high dose birth control pills

When to Seek Medical Care for Gallstones
If one has a sudden, intense pain in the abdomen, especially accompanied by nausea and vomiting, call the doctor.

If the above mentioned symptoms coincide with chills, low-grade fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes etc., then seek emergency care.⁶

Living with the Condition of Gallstones
Some people have asymptomatic gallstones, that is, they do not feel any pain or discomfort and do not need treatment either. However, symptoms of gallstones develop only when the stones reach a certain size (>8 mm).⁷ In these cases, the patient should visit the doctor and follow the diet and medication suggested by him or her.

Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: January 05,2009

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References

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Cuevas A, Miquel JF, Reyes MS, Zanlungo S, Nervi F. Diet as a risk factor for cholesterol gallstone disease. J Am Coll Nutr. 2004; 23(3): 187–196.
MayoClinic.com. Gallstones. [Homepage on the Internet] Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gallstones/DS00165/DSECTION=7. Last updated on: 25 July 2007. Last accessed on: 15 February 2008.
The Cleveland Clinic Health Information Center. Laparocopic Cholecystectomy. [Homepage on the Internet]. Available at: http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/1700/1715.asp?index=7017. Last reviewed on: April 12, 2006. Last accessed on: 15 February 2008.
Michael FL, Walter CW, Eric B. A Prospective Study of Coffee Consumption and the Risk of Symptomatic Gallstone Disease in Men. JAMA. 1999; 281: 2106–2112.
Gallstones. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Available at: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/gallstones/index.htm#symptoms. Last reviewed in July, 2007. Last accessed on: 14 February 2008.
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