Bile, which is made by the liver, helps the intestines to absorb fats and oils. Bile is stored in the gallbladder and contains large amounts of cholesterol and bilirubin. In some cases, small, hard masses may form from components of the bile, resulting in gallstones, which can cause intense pain and other problems.
Formation
Gallstones are the result of substances normally dissolved in bile that re-form into hard stones. The most common type of gallstone, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders, is made of cholesterol. This type of stones is typically yellow or green in color. Other gallstones, called pigment stones, are made of a protein called bilirubin and tend to be darker.
Symptoms
Many gallstones remain in the gallbladder and do not ever cause any symptoms, Family Doctor explains. If gallstones move out of the gallbladder, on the other hand, they can become lodged in the bile ducts, leading to severe pain in the upper-right portion of the abdomen. The pain can begin suddenly and be present for several hours. A person with gallstones may also develop fever and jaundice as a result of inflammation of the gallbladder and liver.
Causes
Although the causes of gallstone formation are not entirely known, the Mayo Clinic notes that an imbalance in the components of bile may result in gallstone formation. If bile has too much cholesterol or bilirubin, some of these compounds may form small crystals, which serve as a starting point for the formation of gallstones. Incomplete emptying of the bile duct can also lead to bile components becoming concentrated, leading to an increased risk of gallstone development.
Complications
Many of the complications of gallstones are the result of them becoming lodged somewhere in the body. According to the Mayo Clinic, if gallstones get stuck in the neck of the gallbladder, they can cause severe pain and fever. Lodging of the gallstones in the bile duct, which transports bile to the small intestines, can lead to an infection of the bile duct. Gallstones can also block the pancreatic duct, leading to pancreatitis, which often requires hospitalization. Gallstones can also increase a person's risk of developing gallbladder cancer.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Gallstones are usually diagnosed using ultrasound or MRI, according to the American Gastroenterology Society. In general, the primary treatment for an individual who has gallstones that are causing pain or other problems is removal of the gallbladder. Small stones made of cholesterol can be dissolved using chenodiol or ursodiol, which are two oral medications.
