Things you need to know

Gallstones are hardened pieces of digestive fluid that form and collect inside the gallbladder. These stones can range in size and numbers.

Your gallbladder stores and releases bile juice which is a fluid produced by your liver. Bile promotes your digestion by breaking down fats into fatty acids so they can be absorbed easily by your organs in your digestive tract. This fluid also contains certain waste components such as cholesterol. A presence of excessive waste elements can lead to the formation of gallstones.

Gallstones affect any individual differently. While some people do not experience any gallstones symptoms, others face intense pain and discomfort. Common signs and symptoms of gallstones include:

• Sudden and increasing pain in the upper right portion and centre of abdomen 
• Pain in the back, especially between shoulder blades 
• Pain in the right shoulder
• Nausea and vomiting 

There is no single reason for what causes gallstones. Experts believe that the following factors can trigger the formation of stones in your gallbladder:

Excessive cholesterol

Bile juice usually has sufficient chemicals to absorb cholesterol released by your liver. However, sometimes your liver may secrete a higher quantity of cholesterol making it difficult to be absorbed by bile. This excess cholesterol can turn into small crystals and stones.

Excess bilirubin

Your body produces a chemical called bilirubin when red blood cells break down. Certain health conditions such as cirrhosis, biliary tract infections and certain blood disorders can trigger the production of excess bilirubin. An increased quantity of bilirubin can lead to gallstones formation.

Inability to empty gallbladder

There are some health conditions that can cause difficulty in emptying your gallbladder. In such cases, bile juice can remain in the gallbladder and become concentrated leading to gallstones.

While anyone can be affected by gallstones, some individuals are at a higher risk of developing this condition. Risk factors of gallstones include:

• Being female 
• Advanced age (over 40) 
• Obesity
• Pregnancy 
• Eating a high-fat, low-fibre diet 
• Family history 
• Diabetes 
• Blood disorders

Gallstones are usually diagnosed when a patient presents with troubling symptoms. Your healthcare provider will examine your condition and discuss your symptoms as well as your overall medical history. He/she may further order certain tests and procedures to diagnose your condition. Tests and procedures done to diagnose gallstones include:

• Abdominal ultrasound
• Endoscopic ultrasound
• CT scan
• Blood tests

Your gallstones treatment will depend on several factors such as severity of your symptoms, your overall health, age and number and size of stones.

Gallstones treatment usually includes surgical intervention in which your surgeon removes the gallbladder. This procedure is known as cholecystectomy.