Gallstones

A gallstone - is a lump of rock-like material that forms inside the gall bladder. Gallstones are formed as a result of precipitation of cholesterol and bile salts from the bile. Most bile is produced in the liver from cholesterol and concentrated in the gall blader.

A person may have many gallstones. They usually range in size from a grain of sand to 1 or 2 inches.

It is estimated that about 20 million Americans have gallstones. The incidence of gallstone formation increases with age, especially among women.

Often, there are no symptoms of gallstones. The gallstones lie quietly within the gall bladder and are usually found by chance. If a gallstone is obstructing the gall bladder, there will be severe pain in the upper right side of the abdomen. The pain will come and go in waves as strong muscular contractions. Strong muscular contractions occur because the body is trying to get rid of the obstruction. Other symptoms are: mild pain under the right ribs. This pain ususally occurs after eating fatty foods. It occurs after eating fatty foods because fat in the diet provokes a reflex contraction of the gall bladder.

If there is complete obstruction of the gall bladder, infection of the gall bladder occurs. Symptoms of this are: fever and jaundice.

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