| Many people are afflicted with gallstones whether | | | | become necessary. Other methods of treatment |
| they realize they have them or not. What are | | | | may include the use of drugs to dissolve stones and |
| gallstones? | | | | the breaking up of the stones by laser technique. |
| They are hardened masses that may vary in size, | | | | Surgery may still be required in some cases. |
| usually consisting mainly of cholesterol and bile. They | | | | I found that I had gallstones quite accidentally after |
| may be caused by a variety of conditions such as | | | | being hospitalized for pneumonia. In my case, I had |
| infection, too much fat in the diet, anemia, liver | | | | no symptoms and so I was unaware that I had |
| disease, obesity, diabetes and even pregnancy. | | | | gallstones. They never caused any pain, nausea or |
| People that are overweight seem to be more prone | | | | other symptoms that would have indicated their |
| to gallstones as are women who have had two or | | | | presence. As you can see, the absence of |
| more pregnancies. | | | | symptoms doesn’t mean that gallstones |
| Although it is not known why, women in general | | | | aren’t present. |
| seem to have a higher incidence of gallstones than | | | | If you do have any of the symptoms described or |
| men. Symptoms usually include pain or discomfort in | | | | experience pain or discomfort after eating, you may |
| the abdomen as well as nausea and indigestion. But | | | | suspect that you could have gallstones. If you have |
| many people that have gallstones have no symptoms | | | | any reason to believe that may be the case you |
| at all. Often people do not know they have | | | | should contact your physician immediately for early |
| gallstones until they have a gallbladder attack. | | | | detection rather than waiting until a severe gallbladder |
| An attack can occur when a stone lodges in the bile | | | | attack occurs. Once detection of gallstones is |
| duct. This can cause sharp pain on the right side of | | | | confirmed your physician can recommend surgery or |
| the abdomen that may travel to the back and | | | | the appropriate course of action. The early detection |
| shoulder blade. Symptoms may also include fever, | | | | of the presence of gallstones can prevent the future |
| chills, vomiting and even jaundice, which is a yellowish | | | | pain of gallbladder attacks as well as any |
| discoloration of the skin and eyes due to | | | | complications that could arise due to a lodged stone. |
| accumulation of bile in the blood. | | | | Sometimes what you don’t know can hurt |
| A stone that becomes lodged could cause serious | | | | you. |
| complications. Surgical removal of the gallbladder may | | | | |