Gall stones are thus named as they are formed in the gall bladder. They are pieces of solid material which are formed as a result of precipitation of cholesterol, bile pigments or other substances. Gallstones are hard, crystal-like particles. Some gall stones contain large amount of calcium. Cholesterol stones are usually white or yellow in color and account for about 80 percent of gallstones. They are made primarily of cholesterol. Pigment stones are small, dark stones made of bilirubin and calcium salts that are found in bile. They account for the other 20 percent of gallstones.
**Risk factors of pigment stones include cirrhosis, biliary tract infections, and hereditary blood cell disorders, such as sickle cell anemia. Gallstones vary in size and may be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball. The gallbladder may develop a single, often large, stone or many smaller ones, even several thousands.
**Most people with gallstones do not have symptoms. They have what are called silent stones. Studies show that most people with silent stones remain symptom free for years and require no treatment. Silent stones usually are detected during a routine medical checkup or examination for another illness. A gallstone attach usually is marked by a steady, severe pain in the upper abdomen. Attacks may last only 20 to 30 minutes but more often they last for one to several hours. Attacks may be separated by weeks, months, or even years. Once a true attack occurs, subsequent attacks are much more likely.
A less common but more serious problem occurs if the gallstones become lodged in the bile ducts between the liver and the intestine. This condition can block bile flow from the gallbladder and liver, causing pain and jaundice. Gallstones may also interfere with the flow of digestive fluids secreted from the pancreas into the small intestine, leading to pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas.
When actually looking for gallstones, the most common diagnostic tool is ultrasound. An ultrasound examination, also known as ultrasonography, uses sound waves. Ultrasound has several advantages. It is a noninvasive technique, which means nothing is injected into or penetrates the body. Ultrasound is painless, has no known side effects and does not involve radiation.
Inflammation of gall bladder is called cholecytitis. And surgical removal of gall bladder is called Cholecystectomy.
Obstruction of the hepatic or bile duct by gall stones or due to other causes is not uncommon. Bile is then absorbed into the blood instead of going to the duodenum and the skin, mucous membranes and whites of the eyes become yellow due to deposition of bile pigments (these bile pigments normally leave the body along with the faeces). This is called obstructive jaundice since the faeces don’t contain bile pigments in the disease.
**A healthy diet low in animal fats seems to reduce the risk of gall-stones.
