The gall bladder stones or cholelithiasis, is the formation of stones in the gallbladder, the organ that stores bile secreted by the liver. The formations, sometimes called "stones", actually look like small rocks. In about 80% of cases, they are composed of crystallized cholesterol. Stones made from bile pigment can be formed, especially in cases of serious liver disease or sickle cell anemia, but this will not be discussed here.

Also, unusual symptoms of gall bladder disease are hard to spot, because they are, as the name says, unusual. If you believe you are feeling unusual symptoms of gall bladder disease, then you should go to a doctor as soon as possible. Aside from that, here is a general description of a common gall bladder disease.

The shape and number of stones (there may be several hundred) differ from one individual to another. They can be as small as a grain of sand or as big as a golf ball. In about eight out of ten cases, the stones involve no discomfort. However, they can block the bile ducts that carry bile to the liver and intestines. If it can no longer be emptied, the gallbladder begins to swell, which can cause violent stomach pains. This is called biliary colic. When the stones do not cause colic, they are sometimes found incidentally during an ultrasound or CT scan of the abdomen.

Note that the intensity of symptoms does not depend on the size of the stones. Indeed, small stones can cause intense pain, and large stones go unnoticed. They may be too large, for example, to get out of the gallbladder and block the channels.

The gallbladder is a small sack located between the liver and intestine. It stores bile, a yellow liquid produced by the liver. During meals and at other times, the gallbladder contracts and releases bile, which then flows into a canal to the intestine where it helps digest fats.

Causes - Bile is composed primarily of water, bile salts (which, emulsifying fat, play an important role in digestion by the gut), cholesterol, phospholipids, pigments and electrolytes. The cholesterol gallstones are formed when:

Bile contains too much cholesterol; Bile does not contain enough bile salts; Gallbladder does not contract regularly (a "lazy" bladder). It is not known exactly what triggers the formation of gallbladder stones, but various risk factors have been identified, such as obesity and having given birth to several children. Note that there is no link between blood cholesterol and the concentration of cholesterol in bile.

Symptoms - In the vast majority of cases, gallstones do not cause symptoms or complications. During a fit - Biliary colic typically lasts 30 minutes to 4 hours. Here are the main symptoms. Intense pain is felt in the middle or upper right abdomen. The pain sometimes radiates to the shoulder and right shoulder blade. Nausea and vomiting. Signs of complications: in the presence of these symptoms, consult a doctor urgently. Fever. Jaundice. A very intense and sudden pain right side of the abdomen, which persists beyond six hours. Persistent vomiting.