The gallbladder is a small sac located under the liver that stores bile, a digestive fluid that breaks down fat. Gallstones are hard deposits that develop in the gallbladder, usually due to excess amounts of cholesterol in the bile. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, approximately 80 percent of gallstones are cholesterol stones.
Physiology
The process of gallstone formation is medically referred to as cholelithiasis. Most gallstones are formed from the cholesterol contained in bile. Cholesterol is not soluble, which means that it doesn't dissolve in liquid. Cholesterol is transported throughout the body in a fluid called bile, which is stored in the gallbladder and used to digest fats. If there is too much cholesterol in the bile, the bile thickens. Eventually, cholesterol crystals can form, which is a process referred to as supersaturation. Supersaturation can lead to the formation of gallstones.
Causes
Many different conditions can increase your risk of developing gallstones. One of the most common is that the liver secretes too much cholesterol into the bile. The gallbladder may also not empty properly, so bile and cholesterol remain stagnant, which can promote formation of gallstones. The cells in the gallbladder may also not absorb cholesterol correctly and allow the formation of gallstones.
Symptoms
The presence of gallstones doesn't usually cause any noticeable symptoms. Symptoms usually develop when a gallstone blocks the flow of bile. This blockage can cause sudden, severe pain in the upper right portion and middle of the abdomen, pain between your shoulder blades and pain in the shoulder. MayoClinic.com says that pain may last a few minutes to several hours. If you experience nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, jaundice or abnormal colored stools, contact your doctor immediately.
Treatment
If gallstones don't cause any symptoms, medical intervention is usually not necessary. For those with gallstone disease who experience repeated attacks, surgical removal of the gallbladder may be necessary. Oral medications may help dissolve gallstones, but MayoClinic.com notes that these medications can take months or years to produce a result.
Complications
If a gallstone becomes stuck in the gallbladder, it can cause inflammation of the gallbladder, which can lead to pain and fever. Gallstones may also travel to the common bile duct, the tube that carries bile from the gallbladder to the small intestine. If a gallstone travels to the common bile duct, it can block the flow of bile, which can result in infection in the gallbladder. Gallstones may also block the pancreatic duct, which carries pancreatic juices. This can result in inflammation of the pancreas. MayoClinic.com notes that people with a history of gallstones also have an increased risk of developing gallbladder cancer, although the condition is rare.
