An Overview of Gallbladder Stones

GallStones are the hardened deposits of digestive fluid which exist in varying sizes and get stuck in the gallbladder which is basically a small organ under the liver. The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ which is located on the right side of your abdomen, below the liver. The gallbladder holds a digestive fluid called bile which gets released into the small intestine.

The size of the gallstones ranges from being a size of a grain of sand to as large as that of a golf ball. There could be just one gallstone in the gallbladder for some while for others, there can be several gallstones.

The problem of gallstones may not be visible as they might not cause any problem to anyone until the feeling of gallstone becomes stronger as the gallstones block the bile duct which in turn leads to pain. When the pain becomes excessive or unbearable, it requires immediate medical attention. However, there are also cases where the gallstones do not cause any symptoms which may or may not require treatment in accordance with the doctor’s advice and guidance.

TYPES OF GALLSTONES

There are primarily two types of gallstones which can develop in the gallbladder:

• Cholesterol Gallstones - This is the most common type of gallstones faced by patients. The cholesterol gallstones are yellow in colour which are composed of undissolved cholesterol, however, it may contain other substances as well.
• Pigment Gallstones - When the bile juice contains bilirubin of excessive amount then it leads to pigment gallstones that are dark brown or black in colour.

CAUSES OF GALLSTONES

There could be several reasons as to why gallstones are formed:

• The Bile Consists of an Excessive Amount of Cholesterol - Normally, the bile consists of enough chemicals which help to dissolve the cholesterol excreted by the liver. But in case the liver excretes more cholesterol than the bile can dissolve, the excess cholesterol would develop into crystals that would subsequently lead to the formation of gallstones.
• The Bile Contains an Excessive Amount of Bilirubin - Bilirubin is a chemical which is produced when the body breaks down the red blood cells. However, there are certain medical conditions that cause the liver to generate an excessive amount of bilirubin including liver cirrhosis, biliary tract infections and certain blood disorders. This overload of bilirubin quantity leads to gallstone formation.
• Dysfunctioning of the Gallbladder - If there is a case where the gallbladder is not getting emptied regularly or properly then it can lead to bile becoming concentrated matter which eventually leads to the gallstone formation.

WHO ALL ARE AT RISK?
There are people from certain categories who are potentially more at risk. This is primarily because of the existing health conditions that sometimes make them vulnerable to this health problem. Those who are at risk of having gallstones are :

• Being a woman
• Being 40 years or more
• Being overweight or obese
• Being sedentary
• Being pregnant
• Consuming a high-fat diet
• Consuming a high-cholesterol diet
• Consuming a low-fibre diet
• Having a family medical history of gallstones
• Having diabetes
• Having certain blood disorders, such as sickle cell anaemia or leukaemia
• Losing weight rapidly
• Taking medications that contain estrogen, such as oral contraceptives or hormone therapy drugs
• Having liver disease

When Should You Visit The Gastroenterologist

There are certain signs and symptoms of gallbladder stones that become visible with the feeling that one experiences:

• Sudden and intense pain in the right and central side of the abdomen
• Back pain near the shoulder area
• Nausea and vomiting along with having high fever and chills
• Skin and eyes turning yellow

 
Prevention of Gallstones
However, one can always take control of his or her situation. The same stands for those who have gallstones. Some of the preventive care they should take are :

• Never Avoid or Skip Meals - Always stick to the usual time of having a good meal and do not skip them as it increases the chance of developing gallstones. 
• Reduce Weight -  Reducing weight can lower the gallbladder problems, however, one must go slow and steady as rapid weight loss can increase the risk of formation of gallstones.
• Consume Fibrous Food - Have more fibre-rich foods in the diet, such as fruits, vegetables, cereals, peanuts and whole grains that ensures that the body receives enough nutrients.
• Maintain a Healthy Weight - Obesity and being overweight increase the chance of having gallstones. One can fight obesity and overweight by reducing the number of calories while consuming food and at the same time working out more to keep one’s body fit.

Hence, this is the overview of the gallstones or gallbladder stones - what is it, how is it developed, who all are more at risk and how it can be prevented or reduced. If anyone is going through gallbladder stone problems, then one must consult RG Stone Hospitals which are located all across India which serves as one of the Best Gallbladder Stone Treatment Hospitals in India.

There are a lot of patients who visit the RG Stone Hospital for consulting as well as treating the gallbladder stone problem and RG Stone Hospital being one of the best gallbladder stone treatment hospitals, people have faith and trust in the doctors who ensure the well-being and good health of their patients.

The doctors at the RG Stone Hospital will guide you correctly about your health and will advise you on the next medical course of action that will suit your health and hence make you recover as soon as possible.