Around 20 million people in the United States are affected by gallstones. While many people with gallstones experience no symptoms, those who do can face severe pain and serious complications without proper treatment.
Newtown Gastroenterology is an expert provider of digestive health treatment in NY, offering comprehensive care for gallbladder conditions. Our experienced gastroenterologists near me use advanced diagnostic tools and proven treatment approaches to help patients manage gallstones effectively. If you're experiencing symptoms or have concerns about gallbladder health, schedule an appointment with our gastroenterology team today.
Understanding what gallstones are and how they develop can help you recognize symptoms early and make informed decisions about your care.
What Are Gallstones and How Do They Form?
Gallstones are solid particles that develop in the gallbladder when bile becomes imbalanced. Your gallbladder stores bile, a digestive fluid that helps break down fats. When bile contains too much cholesterol or bilirubin, or when the gallbladder doesn't empty, stones can form.
There are two main types of gallstones:
- Cholesterol stones: These yellow-green stones make up about 80% of all gallstones. They form when bile contains too much cholesterol for the bile salts to dissolve.
- Pigment stones: These smaller, darker stones develop when bile contains excess bilirubin, often due to liver disease or blood disorders.
Gallstones can range from tiny grains to large formations that fill the entire gallbladder. Some people develop just one stone, while others may have hundreds.
Who Is at Higher Risk?
Several factors increase your likelihood of developing gallstones:
- Gender and age: Women are twice as likely to develop gallstones as men, especially during childbearing years due to hormones like estrogen. Risk increases with age, particularly after 40.
- Family history: Genetics plays a significant role. If gallstones run in your family, you're more likely to develop them.
- Diet and lifestyle: High-fat, high-cholesterol diets and rapid weight loss can trigger stone formation. Being overweight or obese also increases risk.
- Medical conditions: Diabetes, liver disease, and certain blood disorders raise your chances of developing gallstones.
Signs You May Have Gallstones
Many people with gallstones have no symptoms. However, when stones block bile ducts, they can cause what's known as a gallbladder attack. Watch for these warning signs:
- Sudden, intense pain in the upper right abdomen or center of your stomach
- Pain that radiates to your back or right shoulder blade
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pain that worsens after eating fatty or greasy meals
- Indigestion or bloating
Episodes typically last from 30 minutes to several hours and may occur after large or fatty meals.
When Gallstones Become an Emergency
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Severe abdominal pain that doesn't improve
- High fever with chills
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
- Clay-colored stools
- Persistent vomiting
These symptoms may indicate serious complications like cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation), pancreatitis, or bile duct blockage that require urgent treatment.
Treatment Options: From Monitoring to Surgery
Treatment depends on your symptoms and stone characteristics:
- Watchful waiting: If you have no symptoms, your gastroenterologist may recommend monitoring with regular check-ups.
- Medication: Bile acid therapy can help dissolve small cholesterol stones, though this process can take months or years.
- Lifestyle changes: Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a low-fat diet, and staying physically active can prevent new stones from forming.
- Surgery: A cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) is the most common and effective treatment for symptomatic gallstones. This procedure can often be performed at an ambulatory surgical center using minimally invasive techniques.
Get Expert Care for Your Gallbladder Health
Gallstones are common but shouldn't be ignored when symptoms develop. Newtown Gastroenterology can help you understand your condition and explore the best treatment options for your situation.
Schedule an appointment with our gallbladder specialists at Newtown Gastroenterology for comprehensive digestive health care. Our experienced gastroenterologists will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses your symptoms and prevents complications.
