What Are Gallstones

So your doctor has diagnosed you with gallstones. The sharp pain that has been shooting throughout your body along with the tenderness finally has a name. The doctor may have given you a brief explanation. But, what are gallstones?

Gallstones form in the gallbladder. They can be defined as hard, pebble like deposits. They come in various sizes. They may be as tiny as a grain of sand and seem not that scary. However, some are as large as golf balls.

These stones can be made up of one or a combination of substances. The common components are a blend of calcium bilirubinate, cholesterol, and calcium carbonate. They typically fall under one of three classifications. Mixed stones are made up of a cholesterol content of 20-80% of the weight of the stone. Pigment stones are less than 20% cholesterol. They are made up of calcium salts and bilirubin. They are generally small and dark in nature. Finally, Cholesterol stones have a body weight made up of a minimum of 80 percent cholesterol. They typically have a dark central spot and are brown, dark green or yellow.

Located under the liver the gallbladder is a small sac. The liver produces bile, also known as gall. This bile is used to help digest food and is stored within the gallbladder. When it’s time for the body to use it the gallbladder contracts and pushes the bile through a small tube known as the bile duct.

So when and how do things go wrong. For up to 20 million Americans and 10% of the world’s population the chemical balance within the gallbladder is thrown off balance. If the bile contains too much cholesterol, bilirubin, or bile salts it can harden and form stones.

For most individuals there are no symptoms related to having gallstones within the gallbladder. For some though they may experience pain on the right side, vomiting, nausea, sweating, and restlessness among other things. If they move into and block one of several ducts then problems become more severe. When this occurs one of four conditions may take place.

First is jaundice. The bile duct becomes blocked and bile leaks into the blood stream. The skin and the whites of the eyes become yellow.

Second is an infection. A gallbladder infection results in a fever and shivering.

Third is pancreatitis. In this instance the stone blocks the duct to the pancreas. This causes an inflammation and slow deterioration of the pancreas.

Finally is biliary colic. The stone moves into the first section of the small intestine known as the duodenum. Periods of non-stop pain lasting up to 24 hours can occur.

In many of these cases the doctors will recommend surgical removal of the stone. However, there are other options which are worth exploring. To find out more about how natural methods can help with your gallstone problem then be sure to visit, Gallstones Treatment.

By Sean Cavanaugh