Gallstones are solid deposits that form inside the gallbladder, a small organ located beneath the liver. The gallbladder stores bile, a digestive fluid that helps break down fats. When the balance of substances in bile such as cholesterol, bile salts, and waste products is disrupted, tiny crystals may form and gradually develop into gallstones. While many people with gallstones never experience symptoms, others may suffer from painful attacks that require medical treatment.
What Are Gallstones Made Of?
Gallstones can vary in size, ranging from a grain of sand to several centimeters. They are typically classified into two main types:
- Cholesterol stones: The most common type, formed when bile contains too much cholesterol.
- Pigment stones: Made of bilirubin, a substance that results from the breakdown of red blood cells. These are more common in people with liver disease or certain blood disorders.
Some people may develop a mixture of both types.
Causes and Risk Factors
Gallstones develop when bile composition becomes imbalanced, but several factors increase the likelihood:
- Being overweight or obese
- Rapid weight loss through strict dieting or surgery
- Diets high in cholesterol and low in fiber
- Female sex hormones (pregnancy, birth control pills, or hormone therapy)
- Age over 40
- Family history of gallstones
- Chronic illnesses such as diabetes or liver disease
Women are more prone to gallstones than men, particularly during their reproductive years.
Symptoms of Gallstones
Many individuals have “silent gallstones” that cause no discomfort. However, when a gallstone blocks the bile duct, painful symptoms may occur, often referred to as a gallbladder attack or biliary colic. Symptoms include:
- Sudden, intense pain in the upper right or middle abdomen
- Pain radiating to the back or right shoulder blade
- Nausea and vomiting
- Indigestion, bloating, or intolerance to fatty foods
- Fever or chills if infection develops
Gallbladder attacks may last from several minutes to a few hours and can occur sporadically.
Complications of Gallstones
If untreated, gallstones can lead to more serious conditions such as:
- Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder): Severe pain, fever, and infection.
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas): Occurs if a gallstone blocks the pancreatic duct.
- Bile duct obstruction: Leading to jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes).
- Gallbladder rupture: A rare but life-threatening complication.
Because of these risks, persistent or severe symptoms should always be assessed by a doctor.
Diagnosis
Doctors diagnose gallstones using imaging and blood tests:
- Ultrasound: The most common, non-invasive method to detect stones in the gallbladder.
- CT or MRI scans: Used in complicated cases to assess bile ducts and surrounding organs.
- Blood tests: To detect infection, inflammation, or liver function abnormalities.
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on whether gallstones cause symptoms:
- No symptoms: If gallstones are discovered incidentally and cause no discomfort, treatment may not be necessary.
- Symptomatic gallstones: Surgical removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) is the standard treatment. This procedure is often performed laparoscopically with small incisions, allowing for faster recovery.
- Non-surgical approaches: In selected cases, medications that dissolve gallstones or shock wave therapy may be used, though recurrence is common.
Patients can live without a gallbladder, as bile flows directly from the liver into the small intestine after surgery.
Prevention
While not all cases are preventable, certain lifestyle measures reduce risk:
- Maintaining a healthy body weight
- Eating a balanced diet rich in fiber and low in saturated fats
- Avoiding rapid weight loss diets
- Staying physically active with regular exercise
- Drinking enough water to support digestion
With more than 37 years of experience, Erdem Hospital provides comprehensive diagnostic services and advanced surgical options for gallstone management, ensuring safe and effective treatment for both symptomatic and complicated cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do all gallstones need to be removed?
No. Silent gallstones without symptoms often do not require treatment. Only symptomatic or complicated cases typically need removal. - Can diet dissolve gallstones?
Diet alone usually does not dissolve gallstones, but healthy eating can prevent new stones and reduce symptoms. - Is gallbladder surgery dangerous?
Gallbladder removal is a common and generally safe procedure, especially when performed laparoscopically. Risks exist but are low with experienced surgeons. - What happens if gallstones are left untreated?
Silent stones may never cause issues. However, untreated symptomatic stones can lead to serious complications such as infection or pancreatitis. - Can gallstones come back after removal?
If the gallbladder is removed, stones cannot return to the same place. Rarely, stones may form in the bile ducts, but this is uncommon.