Bile is a fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, a pear-shaped organ located beneath the liver, which aids in the digestion of fats. Gallstones are formed from bile deposits that have hardened within the gallbladder due to many factors. They vary in size, from as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball, and can lead to several complications if not treated properly.
Inflammation
Cholecystitis, inflammation of the gallbladder, is a common complication caused by gallstones blocking the flow of bile. Inflammation most often causes fever and severe pain in the abdominal region. If left untreated, inflammation can lead to tissue damage, infections that spread to other parts of the body and tears in the lining of the gallbladder. In these cases, a hospital stay is required and most often the gallbladder is removed. Fortunately, the body can function without a gallbladder.
Common Bile Duct Blockage
Gallstones may block the natural flow of bile from the gallbladder or liver into the small intestine. When this occurs, the blocked tubes may become inflamed or lead to jaundice. This is a condition characterized by yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes due to an excess of bilirubin, a brownish-yellow substance found in bile. An infection of the bile duct, cholangitis, may also occur.
Pancreatic Duct Blockage
Gallstones may also block the pancreatic duct, which flows from the pancreas to the common bile duct. This may interfere with the movement of pancreatic fluids, which aid in digestion, resulting in infection and pancreatitis, a serious infection of the pancreas, usually requiring hospitalization. Pancreatitis usually causes severe, constant pain in the abdomen and can lead to complications such as internal bleeding, kidney failure or breathing problems. However, mild cases of pancreatitis may be left untreated and will disappear on their own.
Gallbladder Cancer
Gallbladder cancer is rare, with just under 10,000 new cases diagnosed each year, according to the National Cancer Institute. However, individuals with a history of gallstones are at an increased risk of developing gallbladder cancer. Signs of gallbladder cancer include pain or lumps in the abdomen, fever and jaundice. Gallbladder cancer is curable if detected in its early stages, which is often difficult, with a poor prognosis if the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.
