Understanding Gallstones

What Are Gallstones?

Gallstones are solid deposits that form in your gallbladder, a small organ located under your liver. These deposits can range in size from as small as a grain of sand to as large as a golf ball.

Risk Factors

• Being female, especially during childbearing years
• Age over 40
• Obesity or rapid weight loss
• Family history
• Certain medical conditions (diabetes, liver disease)
• High-fat, high-cholesterol diet

Common Symptoms

Primary Symptoms

• Sudden, intense abdominal pain (biliary colic)
• Pain in the upper right abdomen
• Pain in the right shoulder or between shoulder blades
• Nausea and vomiting

Warning Signs

• Fever and chills
• Yellowing of skin and eyes (jaundice)
• Dark urine or light-colored stools
• Persistent pain lasting several hours

Diagnosis

• Ultrasound imaging
• CT scans
• Blood tests
• HIDA scan (when necessary)

Treatment Options

Non-Surgical Treatments

• Lifestyle modifications
• Pain management
• Oral dissolution medications (in select cases)

Surgical Options

• Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (most common)
• Open cholecystectomy (in complex cases)

Prevention

1. Maintain a healthy weight
2. Eat a balanced diet low in fat
3. Exercise regularly
4. Avoid rapid weight loss

When to Seek Medical Care

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

• Severe abdominal pain
• Fever with pain
• Prolonged pain lasting more than 8 hours
• Jaundice symptoms

Long-term Outlook

Most people recover completely from gallstone treatment and can live normal lives without their gallbladder.