Tilda 
Gallstones are deposits of hardened digestive fluids that might form in the gallbladder of a person. A gallbladder is an organ present on the right abdomen just below the small intestine and is similar to a pear with respect to its size and shape. The gallbladder is held responsible for holding digestive fluids called bile juices that are released into the small intestine at a later stage.
A person who experiences symptoms concerning his gallstones generally needs gallbladder removal surgery. Gallstones that do not end up causing any symptoms or signs do not require treatment. This article will talk more about gallstone symptoms and treatment.
Symptoms of gallstones
The presence of gallstones might not cause any symptoms or signs. In case it gets lodged in a duct resulting in some kind of blockage, the resulting symptoms and signs can be:
- Rapid and sudden pain in the upper right part of your abdomen
- Rapid and sudden pain in the center of the abdomen below the position of the breastbone
- Back pain between the shoulder blades
- Pain in the right shoulder
- Vomiting or nausea
The pain caused by the presence of gallstones might last for several minutes to several hours.
Causes of gallstones
- Presence of a lot of cholesterol in your bile
Bile generally contains enough chemicals for the successful dissolution of cholesterol that is excreted by the liver. In the situations when the liver ends up secreting more chemicals than what the bile is capable of dissolving, the excessive present cholesterol might form crystals which, with time, turn into stones.
- Presence of a lot of bilirubin in your bile
Bilirubin is a chemical produced by the body when it breaks down the red blood cells present in your blood. Certain conditions might cause the liver to make excessive amounts of bilirubin such as biliary tract infection, liver cirrhosis, and various blood disorders. The excessive presence of bilirubin results in the formation of gallstones.
- The gallbladder does not correctly empty itself
If the gallbladder does not often or completely empty itself, it might become concentrated and contribute to gallstone formation.
Prevention of gallbladder
- Avoid skipping meals
- Lose weight but at a slower pace
- Eat more of the food items that are rich in fiber content
- Maintain a healthy physical regime and hence, weight
Conclusion
Gallstones tend to exist from a size as small as a single grain of sand to as huge as a golf ball. Where some people might develop a single gallstone, others end up developing multiple of them at the same time. Now that you know about gallstone symptoms and treatment, we hope you will take precautions and work towards its presence accordingly.
