Gallstone Complications

by Symptom Advice on May 24, 2011

Stones commonly form in the gallbladder.  Many people have stones in their gallbladder and never experience symptoms.  other people can experience occasional pain, especially after they eat fatty meals.  Sometimes, however, patients can experience more severe complications such as acute inflammation of the gallbladder, obstructed bile duct, and even pancreatitis.   Gallstones are usually diagnosed with ultrasound.  Sometimes a cat scan will show gallstones but this test is not as good.  Your doctor may suspect gallstones based on your symptoms.  he may send you for further testing based on his findings.

Gallstones can cause pain.  In many cases this will be called colic, or pain that goes away with time.  at times, the gallbladder opening can become blocked.  this will cause the gallbladder to become inflamed.  this is a painful and potentially dangerous condition.  The pain will usually not go away on its own.  You may develop fever, and abnormal blood lab tests.  this condition is called acute cholecystitis and is most frequently diagnosed with ultrasound.  Ultrasound will show a thickened wall, fluid around the gallbladder, and pain over the site of the gallbladder.

Gallstones can pass into the bile duct.  this is a tube that runs from the liver and gallbladder to the intestine.  Bile helps with digestion, and in response to a meal, bile will be released.  Sometimes, the stone will pass into this tube and cause an obstruction to flow of bile.  this will cause pain, nausea, and jaundice at times.  Blood lab tests will also be abnormal.  An ultrasound will show a dilated bile duct, and sometimes the actual stone which has passed.  There are more advanced tests such as an MRCP or ERCP which are used for more definitive diagnosis.

Gallstones can also cause pancreatitis, since the bile duct passes in close proximity to the pancreas.  a stone lodged in this region can contribute to pancreatitis.  In these cases, you will often have severe pain in your abdomen.  Your blood lab work will also be abnormal.  It is important to have your gallstones diagnosed promptly as your symptoms may be the result.  Gallstones can potentially be dangerous and you may have to see a surgeon for possible gallbladder removal.  Talk to your doctor about the options.

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