Gallstones are a crystal type mass that can form within the gall bladder. They are caused by an accumulation of bile, which is fluid used to aid in digestion. While they are formed in the gall bladder they may also pass into other parts of the biliary tract which can lead to conditions such as acute cholecystitis, an inflammatory condition. It can also lead to very serious conditions such as pancreatitis which can be life-threatening. In the gall bladder, these objects will appear as white stones on ultrasound and most will not even show up on a CT scan unless they are very, very large.
Gallstones can vary widely in size. Some are as small as a grain of sand while some of the very largest can be as large as a golf ball. In most cases, a gall bladder will either contain one very large stone or a collection of small ones. A Pseudolith, which is also referred to in the medical community as sludge, is a thick secretion that also may be present in the gall bladder with or without the presence of gallstones.
Gallstones can be classified and divided into three types. Cholesterol stones can accumulate from too much cholesterol in the diet and they can vary in color from light yellow to dark green to brown. They are most often an oval shape and can be two to three centimeters in length. Pigment stones are most often small and dark stones that red comprised of calcium salts and bilirubin. Mixed stones are as billed, a mixture of the first two types of gallstones.
Be aware of the symptoms of gallstones to guard your health. They include intense pain in the upper right side of the abdomen and may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The attacks can last for hours. Be aware and visit your doctor if you develop any of these tell-tale symptoms.
Gallstones can vary widely in size. Some are as small as a grain of sand while some of the very largest can be as large as a golf ball. In most cases, a gall bladder will either contain one very large stone or a collection of small ones. A Pseudolith, which is also referred to in the medical community as sludge, is a thick secretion that also may be present in the gall bladder with or without the presence of gallstones.
Gallstones can be classified and divided into three types. Cholesterol stones can accumulate from too much cholesterol in the diet and they can vary in color from light yellow to dark green to brown. They are most often an oval shape and can be two to three centimeters in length. Pigment stones are most often small and dark stones that red comprised of calcium salts and bilirubin. Mixed stones are as billed, a mixture of the first two types of gallstones.
Be aware of the symptoms of gallstones to guard your health. They include intense pain in the upper right side of the abdomen and may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The attacks can last for hours. Be aware and visit your doctor if you develop any of these tell-tale symptoms.
