Have you ever felt a sharp, sudden pain in your stomach? It could be a sign of gallstones, a common but often overlooked health issue. Many people don’t realize they have gallstones until the discomfort becomes too much to handle. So, what causes gallstones, how do they form, and how can you avoid future problems? Let’s break it down.
What Are Gallstones?
Gallstones are hardened deposits that form in your gallbladder, a small organ located on the right side of your abdomen, just under your liver. The gallbladder stores bile, a digestive fluid that helps break down fats and cholesterol.
When your liver produces more cholesterol than the bile can dissolve, it can harden and form stones. Gallstones can range in size—from tiny grains to as big as a golf ball. Left untreated, they can cause serious health complications.
Types of Gallstones
1. Cholesterol Stones
- The most common type, usually yellow-green in color.
- Formed mainly due to undissolved cholesterol.
- Can grow large enough to block the bile ducts.
2. Pigment Stones
- Dark brown or black stones.
- Caused by excess bilirubin in the bile, often linked to liver disease or infections.
- While some gallstones cause no issues, they can become problematic if they block bile flow, leading to pain and other symptoms.
What Causes Gallstones?
Although the exact reason isn’t always clear, gallstones usually develop due to:
Too Much Cholesterol in Bile: If your liver produces excess cholesterol, it can harden into stones.
Excess Bilirubin: This chemical, formed when red blood cells break down, can increase due to conditions like liver disease or infections, contributing to stone formation.
Improper Gallbladder Emptying: If the gallbladder doesn’t empty fully or often, bile becomes concentrated, leading to stone formation.
Symptoms of Gallstones
Gallstones often don’t show symptoms unless they block a bile duct. When this happens, you might experience:
Sudden, sharp pain in the upper right abdomen
Swelling or tenderness in the stomach
Nausea and vomiting
Pain between the shoulder blades or in the right shoulder
Yellowish skin or eyes (jaundice)
Dark urine and pale stools
The pain can last anywhere from minutes to hours, depending on the severity.
How Are Gallstones Diagnosed?
If you notice any of the symptoms, consult a doctor immediately. They may use the following tests to confirm gallstones:
Abdominal Ultrasound: A painless scan that uses sound waves to check for stones in your gallbladder.
Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS): A thin tube is passed through the digestive tract to detect small stones that might not appear in a regular ultrasound.
Blood Tests: These help identify infections, jaundice, or other complications.
Advanced Imaging Tests: Procedures like CT scans, HIDA scans, and MRCP provide detailed views of your gallbladder.
ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography): This test highlights bile ducts using dye and an endoscope. Stones can also be removed during the procedure.
