Gall Bladder Stones: Symptoms, Complications and Treatments

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Gall Bladder Stones: Symptoms, Complications and Treatments

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What are Gall Bladder Stones?

Gall Bladder Stones, also known as ‘gall stones’, are solid particles formed in the gallbladder due to bile cholesterol and bilirubin. These particles can be of different sizes, at times as small as a grain of sand to as big as a golf ball. There can be chances of having just a single big stone in the gallbladder or many small stones or mixture of both at the same time.

Gallbladder stones infect the gallbladder ducts, leading to its inflammation, which might affect the pancreas too. This problem can lead to abdominal pain as well. If not treated at the right time, gallbladder stones can be a threat to life. They might lead to gallbladder diseases and can affect the liver as well.

Gall stones are generally of two types- Cholesterol Stones and Pigment Stones

How does Gall Bladder Stones occur?

Gall bladder stones occur due to the formation of solid particles in the gallbladder. These solid particles (stones) are a result of rising in the quantity of cholesterol or bilirubin in gall bladder. At times, the presence of some other particles in the bile might also lead to the formation of stones. The gallbladder of a person suffering from poor muscle tone, might not be able to empty completely, resulting in leftover bile. This leftover bile can become a reason for the formation of gall stones.

Who is prone to Gall Bladder Stones?

What are the symptoms of Gall stones? How is Gall stones diagnosed? 

The symptoms of gall stones depend mostly on their size and quantity. At times, minute gall stones do not show any symptoms but they can be mobile at times, blocking the bile flow. This situation might cause a severe pain in the abdomen. This pain generally subsides in some time, however excessive and prolonged pain should not be ignored.

Some of the common symptoms can be categorized as:

Diagnosis 

After analysing the symptoms, doctor might conduct a thorough physical examination to check for any other medical issue. The patient might have to go through a number of tests like CT scan, MRI or an Ultrasound. These tests will help in detecting the sizes and number of stones available in the gall bladder. The doctor may ask for few specific tests and blood tests, if required.

What are the complications of gall stones? 

Gall stones, within the walls of gall bladder, do not create many problems. However, if they move and block the bile duct, extreme pain can be experienced. Few other complications which can arise due to gall stones can be:

What is the treatment for gall stones? 

Gall stones can be treated by two methods- Surgical and Non- surgical. However, non-surgical is recommended only in the case of patients who are not fit for surgery. In surgical treatment, a minor surgery is performed to remove the stones. In case of infection, gall bladder is removed, which is again a small surgery with speedy recovery and not much of a hassle. For any person having gall stones, removal of the gall bladder is considered as the best treatment.

Would you like to consult a doctor for Gall Bladder Stones ?

Questions answered by trusted doctors

Verified User
I was diagnosed with couple of stones in my kidney / gall bladder. The stones in kidney are completely dissolved now but the gallstones according to the recent ultrasound are in raw formation . Except for removing the Gall Bladder is there anyway it can be treated ? I am currently taking Udiliv 300
Dr. Aditi Agrawal
General Surgeon, Mumbai
For gallstones.... U would need surgical removal of gall bladder. Udiliv is given to prevent formation of gallstones in high risk patients such as obese patients n patients who have undergone bariatric surgery.
Dr. Chethan R S
General Physician, Bangalore
Hello there...., Medications you take by mouth may help dissolve gallstones. But it may take months or years of treatment to dissolve your gallstones in this way. Sometimes medications don't work. Medications for gallstones aren't commonly used and are reserved for people who can't undergo surgery.... gallbladder removal doesn't affect your ability to digest food...
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Did you know?

Who is prone to gall bladder stones ?

People suffering from liver or blood diseases are more prone to gall bladder stones.

How to detect Gall Bladder Stones ?

Ultrasound and OGC can be 95% accurate in detecting gall stones.

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Home Remedies

Healthy Diet

Eating non- greasy and healthy foods can help in keeping gall stones at bay. There shouldn’t be any fatty food in your diet as fatty food might trigger the formation of stones or help in the movement of already present particles in the gall bladder. The diet should comprise of low-fat and low- cholesterol items.

Fluid intake

Taking clear liquids can help in the relaxation of gall bladder.

Relief from pain

Mild medicines can be taken (after consulting a doctor), in case of persistent abdominal pain.