These stones are called "silent stones," because they do not interfere with the function of the gallbladder, liver, or pancreas, and do not require treatment in most cases.
The symptoms of gallstones may resemble other conditions or medical problems, such as heart attack, appendicitis, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, hiatal hernia, pancreatitis, or hepatitis.
Always consult your health care provider for a diagnosis. Obesity is a major risk factor for gallstones, especially in women. Excess estrogen from pregnancy, hormone replacement therapy, or birth control pills appears to increase cholesterol levels in bile and decrease gallbladder movement, both of which can lead to gallstones.
Native Americans have the highest rates of gallstones in this country and seem to have a genetic predisposition to secrete high levels of cholesterol in bile. People over 60 are more likely to develop gallstones than younger people. Cholesterol-lowering drugs. Drugs that lower cholesterol in blood can actually increase the amount of cholesterol secreted in bile, which, in turn, increases the risk of gallstones. People with diabetes generally have high levels of fatty acids, called triglycerides, which increase the risk for gallstones.
Rapid weight loss. As the body metabolizes fat during rapid weight loss, it causes the liver to secrete extra cholesterol into bile, which can cause gallstones.
Fasting decreases gallbladder movement, which causes the bile to become overconcentrated with cholesterol. In some cases, asymptomatic gallstones are discovered by accident--during testing for another diagnosis. However, when pain persists or happens again and again, your health care provider may want to conduct a complete medical history and physical examination, in addition to the following diagnostic procedures for gallstones:.
A diagnostic technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the internal organs. X-ray that shows the flow of contrast fluid through the intestines into the gallbladder. Sometimes gallstones may be mistaken for a heart attack or a peptic ulcer.
This pain is due to strong contractions as the gallbladder tries to expel a stone. The pain usually begins after eating fatty foods, though it can also wake you up during the night. These attacks are usually infrequent and some people find walking about can relieve the pain.
Symptoms which indicate a complication has arisen complicated gallstone disease include: 1. Asymptomatic gallstones are often found by chance during investigations of unrelated conditions. If you have symptoms and gallstones are suspected, your GP will ask you about the symptoms you are experiencing and may feel your abdomen to see if your liver or gallbladder is tender or enlarged.
Blood tests are usually the next tests that your GP will carry out. A sample of blood is taken by your doctor or a nurse and sent for analysis. These blood tests will look for signs of infection or inflammation. Additional blood tests known as liver function tests LFTs will also be done and will look for indications of inflammation, blockage of the bile ducts and damage to the liver. The liver produces many chemicals that pass into the bloodstream; these can alter if your liver is inflamed or if bile ducts, carrying bile from the liver, are blocked.
In the case of suspected gallstones, high levels of alkaline phosphatase ALP , gamma-glutamyl transferase GGT and serum bilirubin will usually be seen. Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional.
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Skip to main content. Gallbladder - gallstones and surgery. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. Symptoms of gallstones Types of gallstones Causes and risk factors for gallstones Diagnosis of gallstones Complications of gallstones Treatment for gallstones Surgical removal of the gallbladder or gallstones Where to get help Things to remember.
Symptoms of gallstones In approximately 70 per cent of cases, gallstones cause no symptoms. The symptoms of gallstones may include: pain in the abdomen and back. Pain is generally infrequent, but severe increase in abdominal pain after eating a fatty meal jaundice fever and pain, if the gallbladder or bile duct becomes infected.
Types of gallstones There are three main types of gallstones being: mixed stones — the most common type. They are made up of cholesterol and salts. Mixed stones tend to develop in batches cholesterol stones — made up mainly of cholesterol, a fat-like substance that is crucial to many metabolic processes.
Cholesterol stones can grow large enough to block bile ducts pigment stones — bile is greenish-brown in colour, due to particular pigments. Gallstones made from bile pigment are usually small, but numerous.
Causes and risk factors for gallstones Gallstones are more common in women than in men. Diagnosis of gallstones Doctors diagnose gallstones by using a number of tests, including: general tests — such as physical examination and x-rays ultrasound — soundwaves form a picture that shows the presence of gallstones endoscope test — endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography ERCP. A thin tube is passed through the oesophagus and injects dye into the bowel to improve the quality of x-ray pictures hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid HIDA scan — a special type of nuclear scan that assesses how well the gallbladder functions magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography MRCP — a form of the body-imaging technique magnetic resonance imaging MRI.
The image is similar to an ERCP test. Complications of gallstones If gallstones cause no symptoms, you rarely need any treatment. Complications that may require prompt medical treatment include: biliary colic — a gallstone can move from the body of the gallbladder into its neck cystic duct , leading to obstruction.
Email address. First Name let us know your preferred name. Last Name. Thank you for subscribing Your in-depth digestive health guide will be in your inbox shortly. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Cholelithiasis. Merck Manual Professional Version. Accessed June 16, American Gastroenterological Association. Feldman M, et al.
Gallstone disease.
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