The Gallbladder is a small sac like organ under the liver which stores the bile required for digesting the fat. Whenever something comes in way of the flow of the bile, we are going to experience some trouble. Gallbladder stones are small pebble like deposits which are formed in the gallbladder.

Types of Gallstones :
Cholesterol Stones- when too much cholesterol gets deposited in the bile
Pigment Stones- when excess of bilirubin gets accumulated in the bile.

Symptoms of Gallstones :
Though most gallstones do not show any symptom but if the size is too big you might experience pain. When the gallstones block the bile duct, they would experience pain along with fever. You might even get yellowish eyes. Even your pancreas could be swollen. These are some of the symptoms which should make you rush to the hospital. Your chances of getting cholesterol gallbladder stones depend on the age, gender, obesity (obese people are at high risk than thin individuals), people having Crohn’s disease, pregnancy, intake of birth control pills, hormone therapy. The chances for getting pigment stone increase when there is destruction of red blood cells in the body which means that if you are suffering from sickle cell disease and thalassemia.

A more serious type called Cholecystitis causes sudden inflammation of the gallbladder. This could cause severe abdominal pain. When bile gets trapped in the gallbladder, it causes irritation and pressure. If left untreated the condition could worsen and create a hole in the organ. Along with pain in the upper right of the abdomen, the other symptoms could be clay colored stools, fever, nausea and vomiting. The doctor would order some blood tests like complete CBC, bilrubin, Amylase and lipase. There are various tests such as imaging tests, ultrasound, gallbladder scan, X-rays would help the doctor to have a clear picture.

Treatment for Gallstones :
If you are suffering from acute Cholecystitis, the doctor might perform a surgery. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy ensures faster recovery and involves small surgical cuts. The patient would get discharged the same day. Gall bladder removal surgery or open Cholecystectomy and Endoscopic retrograde Cholagiopancreatography are some other surgical procedures employed to remove gall bladder stones. However not every patient could go for surgery, so Lithotripsy is a method employed for such patients. For other patients non surgical treatment includes Antibiotics, pain killers, and a low fat diet. It is necessary to do not overlook the pain in the abdomen if it persists for long. It could be gall stones.