Gallstones develop in the gallbladder from crystals of
either cholesterol or bilirubin. Stones can be too small
to be seen with the eye (biliary sludge), or can range
from the size of grains of sand to the size of golf balls.
There may be one or hundreds of stones in the gallbladder.
When gallstones are present, the condition is called cholelithiasis.
At any point, stones may obstruct the cystic duct, which
leads from the gallbladder to the common bile duct, and
cause pain (biliary colic), infection and inflammation
(cholecystitis), or both.
Gallstone disease is a common medical problem that affects
25 million persons or 10-15 percent of the US population.
Between 10-20% of all adults over 40 have gallstones,
however only 1-3% complaint of symptoms during the course
of a year. Women are at increased risk because estrogen
stimulates the liver to remove more cholesterol from blood
and divert it into the bile. Pregnant women with stones
are more likely to have symptoms.
Silent gallstones often never cause symptoms and require
no treatment. When treatment is requires, there are several
medications, as well as non-surgical and surgical methods.
Get
the Facts... With your MediFocus Guide
