Gallbladder Stone

Gallbladder stones (cholelithiasis) are called gallstones. Gallbladder stones are the hardened deposits of digestive fluid formed in your gallbladder. Your gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ placed on the right side of your abdomen, just below your liver. It stores a digestive fluid called bile.

Bile contains substances that help dissolve cholesterol released by your liver. But if your liver produces more cholesterol than your bile can dissolve, the excess cholesterol may form into a hardened form. Eventually, it can turn into stones. Gallstones can vary in size, from tiny grains of sand to as large as a golf ball. If left untreated, they can lead to severe health issues.

Primary, there are two types of gallstones: 

Cholesterol Stones

• It is the most common gallbladder stone in adults. 
• They appear yellow-green in colour. 
• They are mainly of undissolved cholesterol, but they may also include some other components. However, they can grow large enough to block bile duct.

Pigment stones

• They appear dark brown and black in colour.
• They form when your bile contains enough bilirubin.

Gallbladder stones don’t always cause problems or pain, but if they get stuck in your biliary tract and block your bile flow, they can lead to complications.  If you experience gallstones, you’ll need treatment to remove them — typically, surgery.

The exact cause of gallstone formation has yet to be clear. However, doctors believe that gallstones may develop when

There is excess cholesterol in your bile

Usually, your bile contains enough digestive fluids to dissolve the cholesterol your liver produces. But if your liver produces more cholesterol than your bile can dissolve, the excess cholesterol may harden and form stones.

There is excess bilirubin in your bile 

Bilirubin is a chemical produced when your body breaks down red blood cells. Some conditions, such as liver cirrhosis, biliary tract infections, and certain blood disorders, can cause your liver to produce excess bilirubin. This excess bilirubin can lead to gallstone formation.

 Your gallbladder doesn’t empty properly 

If your gallbladder doesn’t empty thoroughly or often enough, bile can become too thick, leading to gallstones.

Gallstones may cause no symptoms unless they get stuck and create a blockage. This blockage causes symptoms, which include:

• Sudden pain in the upper abdomen. 
• Abdominal swelling and tenderness.
• Pain in your right shoulder.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Yellow tint to your skin and eyes.
• Dark-coloured pee and light-coloured poop.
• Back pain between your shoulder blades.
• Gallstone pain may last a few minutes to a few hours.

If you experience symptoms of gallbladder stones, contact your doctor. Your doctor will perform various tests and procedures to diagnose gallstones and their complications, which include:

• Abdominal Ultrasound: This is the most common test used to observe the present condition of gallstones. In this procedure, a device called a transducer is used. It moves back and forth across your stomach. The transducer sends signals to a computer to create images of the structures in your abdomen.
• Endoscopic Ultrasound:This procedure detects smaller stones that may be left on an abdominal ultrasound. Doctors insert a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope through your mouth into your digestive tract. A small ultrasound device called a transducer produces sound waves that create a precise image of the surrounding tissue.
• Blood Test: Blood tests will help you to identify the signs of infection, jaundice, pancreatitis, or other complications related to gallstones.
• Other Imaging Tests: Additional tests may include oral cholecystography, HIDA scans, CT scans, MRCP, or ERCP. If gallstones are found during ERCP, they can be removed during the procedure. 
• Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP):This procedure uses dye to highlight the bile and pancreatic ducts on X-rays. A thin, flexible tube with a camera is passed down your throat into your small intestine. The dye is then injected into the ducts through a small tube passed through the endoscope.

If your gallstones don’t cause symptoms, you won’t need treatment. Based on your gallstone symptoms and diagnostic test results, your doctor will determine whether treatment is needed.
Your doctor may recommend being alert for symptoms of gallstone complications, such as intensifying pain in your upper right abdomen. If gallstone signs and symptoms occur in the future, you can have treatment.

You can reduce your risk of gallstones if you:

• Don’t skip meals: Try to eat your meal at a regular time each day. Skipping meals or fasting may raise the chance of having gallstones.
• Lose weight slowly: If you’re overweight and want to reduce it, go slow. Rapid weight loss may increase the risk of gallstones. You should reduce 1 or 2 pounds (about 0.5 to 1 kilogram) a week.
• Eat more high-fibre foods: Eat fibre-rich foods. You can include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet.
• Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity and being overweight may increase the risk of gallstones. Work to achieve a healthy weight by reducing the number of calories you eat in a day. You can increase your physical activity. Once you achieve a healthy weight, work to maintain that weight by continuing your healthy diet and continuing to exercise.