Question 1

can i die from gallstones?

Accepted Answer

Highly Unlikely: Most people with gallbladder disease are troubled by transient episodes of pain, often after eating (biliary colic). If the gb is obstructed by a stone, inflammation can develop, but it rarely leads to an infection.  If a stone exits the gb, it can block the: liver, potentially leading to serious liver infections (cholangitis), or the pancreas, leading to pancreatitis; very rarely, this is fatal.

Question 2

how are gallstones diagnosed?

Accepted Answer

Usually ultrasound: Given the right medical history, gallstones are usually diagnosed by an ultrasound.  On occasion, gallstones can be picked up by other means, such as ct scan or by plain x-rays of the abdomen.  Usually asymptomatic gallstones are left undisturbed.

Question 3

how should i treat gallstones?

Accepted Answer

Surgery or Ursodiol: The standard treatment for gall stones is surgery. Drugs such as ursodiol can dissolve some types of gall stones but must be taken forever because when stopped gall stones usually come back.

Question 4

what is the cause of gallstones?

Accepted Answer

Imbalance: Chemical imbalance inside the gallbladder with crystals that form from either bile salts or cholesterol,  these grow into gallstones. More common in females and can also be hereditary in some native populations. Some theories of hormonal changes, gallbladder wall dysfunction, cholesterol imbalance, etc, etc.

Question 5

what are the symptoms of gallstones?

Accepted Answer

Right upper abd pain: People with gallstones have symptoms typically because they block the function of the gallbladder which is to store and release bile due to a fatty meal.  Therefore , symptoms of pain, cramping, nausea and sometimes vomiting occur after eating fatty foods.  Diarrhea or fatty stools may also occur.

Question 6

are gallstones considered dangerous?

Accepted Answer

Gallstone ? disease: Stones in the gallbladder (gb) seldom cause symptoms unless they migrate into the neck of the gb (& block exit of bile) or into the common bile duct. Symptomless gallstones may be diagnosed by chance by imaging or during investigation for some other condition. Only 10% become symptomatic within 5 years of detection. Ultrasound, ct scan, mrcp finds stones; cck-hida scan can tell if gb is diseased.

Question 7

can a calicifed gallstone cause pain?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Gallstones can cause pain under the right rib cage which can go to the back, as well as nausea vomiting and indigestion. If the symptoms are frequent the best option is usually surgical removal.

Question 8

what are the non shadowing gallstones?

Accepted Answer

The ghost type: When gallstones are not heavily calcified, they are tough to see on x rays.

Question 9

are there typical signs of gallstones?

Accepted Answer

1: Most people with gall stones have no symptoms at all- talk about typical. When they cause symptoms it can be pain on right side of abdomen, upper middle abdomen or chest usually worse after food.  If acute infection - choleystitis sets in , one may have fever chills and severe right upper abdominal pain.

Question 10

what causes gallstones? what chemicals?

Accepted Answer

Gallsones: Obesity, high fat diet, female sex and age increase risk for gallstones. No chemicals specifically.

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