Gallstones are quite common, affecting around 25 million people in the United States.
This article presents an overview of gallstones and their causes.
In fact, most people with gallstonesdon’thavesymptoms.
Illustration by Emily Roberts for Verywell Health
Can Gallstones Go Away?
However, larger ones that cause pain can block gallbladder ducts.
If this happens, bile can back up in the gallbladder and cause it to rupture.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider appointment to help you ask the right questions.
This can lead to a life-threatening infection.
What Causes Gallstones?
The biliary tract is the pathway between your liver andpancreasto the first part of the small intestine.
Bile helps your body digest fats andfat-soluble vitamins.
The bile stored in the gallbladder contains water, bile salts, cholesterol, fats, proteins, andbilirubin.
Bile salts break up the fat that is consumed in the food we eat.
The bilirubin gives the bile a yellowish-green color and our stools their brown color.
There are a variety of reasons why gallstones may form.
In addition, females are more likely to have gallstones than males are due to hormonal factors.
Obesity, diet, and lifestyle all may play a role in whether you develop gallstones or not.
Chronic illnesses (including diabetes) and the medications you take also may play a role.
Cholelithiasis is the medical term for gallstones.
Cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder, which can be caused be gallstones.
How Are Gallstones Diagnosed?
There are a number of tests that your healthcare provider may perform to diagnose gallstones.
Blood tests may be done to check for infection or inflammation, but not for gallstones themselves.
Imaging tests are used to diagnose gallstones withultrasoundbeing the first test usually done.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized tomography (CT) scans may also be performed.
Sometimes nonsurgical treatment can be used but the most common treatment for gallstones issurgery to remove the gallbladder.
The surgery is usually done in an outpatient setting and you’re able to go home the same day.
Recovery is usually about a week.
Recovery to normal physical activity usually takes about a month.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider appointment to help you ask the right questions.
This procedure isn’t commonly used and is only appropriate for treating cholesterol stones.
Summary
Gallstones are hard, pebble-like pieces of material that can form in the gallbladder.
The stones can range in size from tiny to golf-ball size.
Treatment for gallstones depends on the symptoms and severity.
Gallstones will sometimes break up on their own, or you’re able to be treated with medication.
Keep in mind, though, that gallbladder surgery is one of the most common surgeries for adults.
Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about any concerns or questions you have.
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