Gallstones are solid crystal deposits that form in the gallbladder. They are usually caused by an imbalance where the liver produces more cholesterol than the bile acids can handle, causing cholesterol to solidify into crystals. Symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Untreated gallstones that block ducts can lead to gallbladder inflammation or infection. Treatment options include gallbladder removal, drugs to dissolve certain gallstones, or shockwave lithotripsy to break up stones. People at higher risk include women, older individuals, obese people, and those who have rapid weight loss.

1. Gallstones

2. Definition
• A gallstone is a solid crystal
deposit that forms in the
gallbladder, which is a pear-
shaped organ that stores
bile salts until they are
needed to help digest fatty
foods.

3. Causes
• The gallbladder functions to store bile, a brown or
greenish fluid that helps the body break down fatty
foods. Normally, the concentration of bile acid is high
enough to break down the cholesterol in the mixture
and keep it in liquid form. But, when a diet it high in
fat, it can tip the balance causing the liver to produce
more cholesterol than the bile acids are able to
handle. When this happens, some of this excess
cholesterol begins to solidify into crystals, which we
call gallstones. Most gallstones are created this way.
The other way they could be created is of calcium
mixed with the bile pigment bilirubin.

4. Symptoms
• If one or more stones block
the cystic duct or the
common bile duct,
symptoms might occur.
These symptoms include:
Mild to severe upper
abdominal pain and nausea
and vomiting.

5. Body systems affected
• Stones that remain lodged in
the bile ducts block the
release of bile. This can cause
severe inflammation of
infection of the gallbladder
and bile ducts. Blocked bile
ducks may also cause jaundice,
in which the skin and whites of
the eyes become yellow. Also,
blockage of the common bile
duct may cause inflammation
in the pancreas.

6. Transmission
• Gallstones are not contagious.

7. Diagnosis
• For a diagnosis you may have blood tests to check
your red blood cell count and cholesterol levels if
the doctors suspects from you symptoms you
have gallstones. You may also have imaging tests,
like an ultrasound scanning or another imaging
procedure called ERCP. This is preformed if a bile
duct if found to be blocked. During an ERCP a
endoscope is passed through the mouth into the
duodenum to inject a contrast medium into the
bile ducts prior to x-rays being taken.

8. Treatment
• Gallstones that do not cause symptoms do not need
treatment. If your symptoms are constant or persistent you
may have to get your gallbladder removed by conventional
surgery or by minimal access surgery. Gallbladder removal
usually cures the problem but sometimes, in rare cases, the
stones re-form from the bile duct and may then need to be
removed either by open surgery or ERCP. Drugs are also
available. They dissolve gallstones made of pure
cholesterol, but it may take months of a year. Another
alternative is high-energy ultrasonic shock waves which
shatter the stones into tiny pieces so they can pass
painlessly. Although, new gallstones can form since the
gallbladder is still present.

9. Outcome of the disease
• People fully recover with treatment. Open
surgery requires a longer recovery period. The
liver can be weakened due to bile
accumulation. Since there is no gallbladder to
store the bile, it stays in the liver and it’s
production may be slower than before
surgery.

10. People at risk
• Gallstones occur more frequently in women then men.
Gallstone prevalence increases with age. Obese
individuals are more likely to form gallstones then thin
individuals. Pregnancy increases the risk for
cholesterol. The increased levels of hormones
increases chances of getting gallstones. Rapid weight
loss by whatever means, very low calorie diets or
obesity surgery, causes cholesterol gallstones in up to
50% of individuals. Individuals with crohns disease of
the terminal ileum are more likely to develop
gallstones. Gallstones occur more frequently in
individuals with elevated blood triglyceride levels.