The gallbladder is located on the right side of the abdomen, beneath the liver. It is a pear-shaped organ, in which bile flows from the liver to the gallbladder. The gallbladder holds the bile until it’s required for digestion, and then it releases bile through bile ducts, where it travels to the duodenum (top of the small intestine), which helps break down the fat in food.
However, sometimes cholesterol and bilirubin can build up, causing stones to form in the gallbladder and bile ducts. These stones can cause pain and can lead to other medical problems if there is no gallstone treatment. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, approximately 10 to 15 percent of people in the United States have gallstones. Read on to learn more about gallstones, what causes them, and what gallstones treatment options are available.
Gallstones are objects that appear stone-like. They can form in the gallbladder or common bile ducts. Gallstones can be very large and can change in size dramatically. However, larger stones stay “stuck” in the gallbladder, while the organ tries to release the smaller stones. Sometimes they can get stuck. This is when you may notice symptoms. Many patients have gallstones, and no gallstones treatment is needed because these people with gallstones are asymptomatic. However, when a patient develops symptoms, they should contact their gastroenterologist immediately.
Gallstones can also develop in the common bile duct or other bile ducts, but these are much less common than gallstones in the gallbladder. However, stones that travel into the common bile duct can cause serious complications, such as:
Two common types of gallstones form in the gallbladder. Gallstones are simply hardened material that forms in the body. The two types of gallstones are:
The symptoms of gallstones highly depend upon their location and size. Many gallstones are asymptomatic (silent stones), but gallstones can cause noticeable symptoms, particularly pain. Gallstones symptoms include:
Painful attacks affect quality of life greatly but do not pose an immediate medical threat. However, gallstones can cause acute cholecystitis, which is an inflammation of the gallbladder. If you are experiencing severe pain in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, under the right shoulder, or between the shoulder blades, contact your gastroenterologist immediately.
Researchers still aren’t sure why some patients develop gallstones and some do not. It is thought to be due to a chemical imbalance of bile within the gallbladder. However, there are some probable causes to note:
However, behind these causes, there are certain risk factors to be mindful of.
The risk for gallstones is much higher in some patients. These high risks include:
Those who lose weight suddenly as part of a new diet or those who are planning weight loss surgery are also at higher risk for developing gallstones.
If you’re experiencing noticeable symptoms or suspect you may have gallstones, you should consult your gastroenterologist as soon as possible. While many times gallstones aren’t serious, in some cases they can lead to gallbladder cancer, gallbladder disease, and other complications. To provide you with gallstone treatment, you need a formal diagnosis. Your doctor may run diagnostic tests, such as:
If you receive a diagnosis and need treatment, there are several treatment options available for gallstones. If you have “silent stones,” they do not require treatment. There are many nonsurgical treatments. In severe cases, however, patients may need surgery to remove the gallbladder. Some treatment options include:
