Gallstones
Your gallbladder contains digestive fluids that help you process foods that you eat. When these fluids harden they are call gallstones. Gallstones range in size from smaller than a grain of sand to golf ball size.
Gallstones might not cause any symptoms. If you experience sudden pain in the upper right part of your abdomen or in the center of your abdomen, pain in your right shoulder or back pain between your shoulders, you may have gallstones that need medical attention.
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- Q How common are gallstones?
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Every year, about 10% of the U.S. population, or 20 million Americans, develop gallstones, pebble-like deposits that form in the gallbladder, the small organ located at the base of the liver that stores bile, the yellowish fluid produced by the liver.... Full Answer
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- Q What are the symptoms of gallstones?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyGallstones, caused by the crystallization of excess cholesterol in the bile, cause sharp, shooting pain in the upper right of the abdomen. This pain can last from a few minutes to hours. Often times, this pain can occur after a high-fat meal. Full Answer
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- Q What are risk factors for gallstones?
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The following risk factors may increase the likelihood that you will develop gallstones, which are hard, pebble-like deposits that can occur in your gallbladder: Your gender. Gallstones are more common in women than in men. Your family history.... Full Answer
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- Q What kind of doctor treats gallstones?
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Several different doctors may be involved in treating you if you have gallstones, pebble-like deposits in your gallbladder, the small organ just below your liver. If you have symptoms, such as abdominal pain, bloating, and nausea, you might first see... Full Answer
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- Q Can gallstones be life-threatening?
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Gallstones can be life-threatening, but only in rare cases. Gallstones are hard, pebble-like deposits that form in the gallbladder, the small organ that sits at the base of your liver. Your gallbladder stores bile, the yellowish liquid made by your... Full Answer
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- Q How can a CT scan help in diagnosing gallstones?
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A computed tomography (CT) scan may be used for detecting gallstones and examining the appearance of body parts surrounding the gallbladder. Gallstones are hard, pebble-like deposits that form in the gallbladder, the organ just below your liver and above... Full Answer
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- Q What is biliary pancreatitis?
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Biliary pancreatitis is a serious, potentially life-threatening complication that can occur in people who have gallstones, hard, pebble-like deposits in the gallbladder, the organ located just beneath the liver and near the pancreas. The gallbladder... Full Answer
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- Q Can pregnancy increase my risk of gallstones?
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Pregnancy may increase your risk of developing gallstones, pebble-like deposits in the gallbladder, the small organ at the base of the liver. Your gallbladder stores bile, a yellowish fluid made by the liver. Normally after your liver makes bile, the... Full Answer
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- Q What is a good diet for someone who has had gallbladder surgery?
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A low-fat diet is usually recommended after you have gallbladder surgery. Your gallbladder is a small organ that sits just below your liver and just above your small intestine. Your gallbladder stores bile, the yellowish liquid made by your liver. When... Full Answer
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- Q Why are women more likely to develop gallstones?
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Women are more likely than men to develop gallstones, hard, pebble-like deposits that can form in the gallbladder, the organ located below your liver and just above your small intestine. Your gallbladder concentrates and stores bile, the yellowish fluid... Full Answer
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