Gallbladder Stones or Gallstones

The gallbladder is a small organ beneath the liver, in the upper right part of the abdomen. It is a bag that holds the bile, a green-yellow liquid that helps digestion. Gallstones are hardened deposits of digestive fluid that can form in the gall bladder. Most of the stone stones are made when the bile contains too much cholesterol. The size of gallstones can be as small as a grain of sand to as large as a golf ball. Some people develop only one gallstone, while others develop many gallstones at the same time.

Symptoms of Gallbladder Stones

Gallstones can cause ache in the upper right abdomen. From time to time you may start having gall bladder pain when you eat foods high in fat, such as fried foods. Pain usually lasts no more than a few hours.You could also experience:

• Nausea
• Dark urine
• Clay-colored stools
• Stomach ache
• Diarrhea
• Indigestion

Types of Gallbladder Stones

The types of gallstones that can form in the gallbladder include:

Cholesterol gallstones.

 The most common type of gallstones, called cholesterol gallstones, often appears yellow. These gallon stones are mostly undissolved cholesterol, but may contain other components.

Pigment gallstones.

 These dark brown or black stones are formed when the bile contains too much bilirubin.

Causes of Gallbladder Stones

It is not known exactly what gallstones form, although there are some theories.

Cholesterol.

Normally, your bile contains enough chemicals to dissolve cholesterol excreted by the liver. But if the liver excretes more cholesterol than bile can dissolve, excess cholesterol can form into crystals and eventually into stones.

Bilirubin.

Bilirubin is a chemical that is produced when your body breaks red blood cells. Some conditions cause the liver to produce too much bilirubin, including liver cirrhosis, biliary tract infections and some blood disorders. Excess bilirubin contributes to the formation of gallstones.

The Gallbladder Does Not Empty Properly.

 If the gallbladder does not completely or often empty, the bile can become very concentrated, contributing to the formation of gallstones

Complications of Gallbladder Stones

Gallbladder Inflammation

A gallstone that is deposited in the neck of the gallbladder can cause inflammation of the gallbladder (acute cholecystitis). Cholecystitis can cause severe pain and fever.

Blockage of the Common Bile Duct.

Gallstones can block the tubes (ducts) through which the bile flows from the gallbladder or liver to your small intestine. Severe pain, jaundice and bile duct infection can occur.

Blockage of the Pancreatic Duct.

The pancreatic duct is a tube that flows from the pancreas and connects to the common bile duct just before entering the duodenum. Pancreatic juices, which aid digestion, flow through the pancreatic duct. A gallstone can cause blockage in the pancreatic duct, which can lead to inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Pancreatitis causes intense and constant abdominal pain and usually requires hospitalization.

Gallbladder Cancer

People with a history of gallstones have an increased risk of gall bladder cancer. But gallbladder cancer is very rare, so even if the risk of cancer is high, the probability of gall bladder cancer is still very small.

How to Prevent Gallbladder Stones

Don't Skip the Meals.

Try to keep your regular meals daily. Skipping meals or fasting may enhance the risk of gallstones.

Lose Weight Gradually.

 If you need to lose weight, continue slowly. Quick weight loss can enhance the risk of standing stones. Try to lose 1 or 2 kilograms (about 0.5-1 kg) per week.

Eat More Fiber Rich Foods.

 Include more fiber-rich foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Maintain Healthy Weight.

Obesity and excess weight increase the risk of gallstones. Work to gain a healthy weight by reducing the number of calories you consume and increasing the physical activity you gain. After you reach a healthy weight, try to maintain it by following a healthy diet and continue training.