Gallstones can leave you suffering in intense pain, but some lucky ones won’t experience any painful symptoms. However, that doesn’t mean you should continue on without treatment. For gallstone treatment, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with the Digestive & Liver Disease Center of San Antonio.
Read the information below or watch the video to learn more.
What is Gallstones?
Gallstones – These are hardened particles that form inside your gallbladder. This small organ plays a role in digestion. It stores bile, a digestive fluid that helps break down fatty foods and eliminate waste from your body.
Gallstones may develop because of an imbalance of cholesterol, salt, or other substances in your bile. A gallstone can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball. You can develop many gallstones or just one.
Gallstones are more common in women and in people age 60 and older. Your risk is higher if you are pregnant. You have a higher risk if you take birth control pills or certain medications. People who have diabetes have an increased risk. Your risk is higher if you are overweight or obese, if you have lost a lot of weight quickly or if you don’t eat a proper diet – and your genetics may make you more likely to develop gallstones.
You can have gallstones without having any symptoms. But if a gallstone blocks a bile duct in your body, you can experience a sudden, painful episode. This is called a “gallbladder attack.” It can last from minutes to hours. It can cause intense pain in the center or in the right side of your upper abdomen. You may feel pain between your shoulder blades. You may feel pain in your right shoulder. A severe gallbladder attack can cause serious complications and requires immediate medical care.
Gallstones that do not cause problems may not require any treatment. If your gallstones are causing symptoms, you may benefit from medications that can dissolve the gallstones. You may also benefit from surgery to remove your gallbladder. Your healthcare provider can create a care plan that is right for your needs.