Gall Bladder Stones

Gall Bladder Stones

Gallstones are stones or lumps made up of cholesterol, calcium bilirubinate and calcium carbonate, that develop in the gallbladder or bile duct. 

The gallbladder releases bile, via the cystic duct, into the small intestine to help break down the fatty foods we consume. 

However, when the liver excretes more cholesterol than your bile can dissolve, which is discarded by red blood cells that solidify, the excess cholesterol may form into crystals and eventually into stones.

Symptoms

• Severe abdominal pain
• Pain that may extend beneath the right shoulder blade or to the back
• Pain that worsens after eating a meal, particularly fatty or greasy foods
• Pain that feels dull, sharp, or crampy
• Pain that increases when you breathe in deeply
• Chest pain (angina)
• Heartburn, indigestion, and excessive gas
• Vomiting, nausea, fever
• Shaking with chills
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• Stools of an unusual color (often lighter, like clay)