When you eat fatty foods, the gallbladder pushes bile into the intestines through the bile ducts to aid in digestion. Any change in bile secretion can lead to the formation of small pebble-like stones in the gallbladder, commonly called gallstones. Gallstones can be as large as a golf ball or as small as a pebble.
The gallbladder is like a storage tank for bile, which helps digest fats. It’s located on the right side of the liver and releases bile into the digestive system when needed. If there’s too much cholesterol in the blood or an increase in bilirubin levels, it can lead to blockages in the bile ducts, causing the formation of gallstones in the gallbladder.
People of different ages suffer from this problem. When there is a stone in the gallbladder, it is not understood at first. Many people experience common stomach pain and take gas medicine, which doesn’t help at all. As a result, patients suffer even more. The main symptom of this disease is stomach pain. Regular stomach pain indicates that there is a stone stuck in the gallbladder.
Types of gallstones: There are usually two types of stones found in the gallbladder:
Cholesterol Gallstones:
This is the most common type of gallstone, occurring when the amount of cholesterol in the gallbladder increases. These gallstones are mainly composed of dissolved cholesterol but may contain other components. They are yellow in color.
Pigment Gallstones:
These gallstones form when there is too much bilirubin in the gallbladder. They are dark brown or black in color.
Causes of gallstones:
Prolonged empty stomach increases the risk of gallbladder stones.
Increased weight puts pressure on the gallbladder, causing stones to accumulate.
The risk of this disease is higher after forty, so strict adherence to hydration guidelines is important from this age onward.
People with diabetes are also at higher risk of gallstones.
Family history can increase susceptibility to gallbladder stones.
High cholesterol or bile levels increase the risk of gallstones.
Excess bilirubin in the body can also contribute to gallstone formation.
Symptoms of gallstones:
Gallstones can cause inflammation, known as cholecystitis, leading to severe pain in the right side of the abdomen, lasting from minutes to hours.
Pain may radiate to the back, shoulders, mid-abdomen, and chest, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and occasionally mild fever.
A stone stuck in the bile duct may cause jaundice due to halted bilirubin metabolism.
Diagnosis typically involves ultrasonography, possibly supplemented by ERCP to locate or remove stones.
Conditions like stomach ulcers, liver issues, or heart disease can mimic these symptoms, necessitating proper diagnosis.
Preventing gallstones:
Avoid skipping meals; maintain regular eating patterns.
If needing to lose weight, do so gradually to reduce the risk of gallstones.
Include fiber-rich foods in your diet such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to prevent gallstone formation.
Maintain a healthy weight through balanced diet and exercise to minimize the risk of gallstones.
Who is at greater risk?
Generally, women, people in their forties, obese individuals, those with hemolytic or blood cell breakdown diseases such as thalassemia, and those who have been starved for a long time due to famine or other reasons are at increased risk of gallstones. Gallstones can also be a concern during pregnancy.
