If you are wondering what are gallstones? They are nothing but hardened pieces of bile that can accumulate in your gallbladder. Medically this condition is known as cholelithiasis. The gallbladder stores and releases bile, which is made in the liver. It is a stomach acid that helps in digestion. Gallstones can range in size from a grain of sand to the size of a golf ball. 

These stones are only noticeable when they block the bile duct, which causes pain and requires immediate medical attention. Now that you know the basics about gallstones, let’s review gallbladder stone causes, the various gallstone risk factors, gallstone symptoms, and what are the medical processes for diagnosing gallbladder stones.

Gallbladder Stone Causes & Risk Factors

While it is not completely understood by medical professionals the exact cause of gallbladder stones, three primary causes have been observed that could lead to gallstones.

• Concentrated bile due to full gallbladder: The gallbladder’s function involves releasing the bile it stores into the digestive tract. When it is unable to completely empty its contents, it causes the bile concentration to increase. This has the potential to cause stone formations over time.
   
• Too much bilirubin in your bile: Bilirubin is formed by the breaking down of red blood cells. Too much bilirubin in your blood can be caused by conditions like liver cirrhosis, biliary tract infections, and certain blood disorders. The excess bilirubin in your blood can potentially cause gallbladder stones if left unchecked.
   
• Excess cholesterol in your bile: Your bile contains chemicals that can dissolve the cholesterol excreted by the bile. However, in cases where the bile is not enough to dissolve the excreted cholesterol, it could lead to the formation of yellow gallbladder stones. The excess cholesterol crystallizes and forms stones over time.

These are some of the most common conditions that lead to the formation of gallbladder stones. If your cholesterol levels are high or if you have any of the conditions mentioned above, do talk to your doctors regarding the risk of gallbladder stones. Here are some of the other risk factors that you should look out for to screen gallbladder stones as early as possible.

• Women over the age of 40
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Use of hormone replacement therapy or birth control medication
• Diabetes
• Observing regular fasting

Important Symptoms of Gallbladder Stones

Here are some of the most common gallbladder stone symptoms that start appearing when the stones start blocking the flow of bile out of the gallbladder.

• Heartburn, gas, and indigestion
• Vomiting
• Pain in the upper right abdomen just under the ribs
• Back or shoulder pain
• Upset stomach
• Fever and chills
• Yellow skin
• Severe abdomen pain or one that lasts for hours

If these symptoms persist for a while you should check in with a doctor. Especially with the last few symptoms because they indicate you could be having a severe infection. With your doctor's help you can diagnose the underlying cause of your symptoms.

How Are Gallbladder Stones Diagnosed?

If your doctor suspects you may have gallbladder stones, here are some of the most common diagnostic tests doctors use to determine whether you have gallstones or not.

• Blood Tests: Blood tests are one of the first tests used by doctors to diagnose gallstones. These tests aim to check the amount of bilirubin and cholesterol in your blood. It can also check for liver functioning to understand if you have gallstones or not.
   
• Abdominal CT Scan: A CT scan is an imaging test used to look inside your body at your gallbladder and liver.
   
• Cholescintigraphy (HIDA scan): This scan is performed to check for any inflammation of your gallbladder, which can be caused when gallstones lead to a condition called cholecystitis. Doctors inject a completely harmless radioactive material into your body and then monitor its journey when it reaches your gallbladder to understand if the organ is functioning properly or not.
   
• Ultrasound: This is the most common imaging test used to diagnose gallbladder stones. Abdominal ultrasound can check for gallstones as well as for any other complications that can arise from gallstones.

Conclusion

Gallbladder stones can be painful so if you are having any of the symptoms listed in this blog, feel free to reach out to us at MASSH. We specialize in gallbladder stone treatment using minimally invasive surgeries that can help you treat and recover from gallstones quickly with minimal discomfort and pain. Visit us today or check out our website to learn more about gallbladder stones and other treatments at MASSH.