Gallstones and Biliary Colic

Definitions

Gallstones are small condensations of bile salts that appear in the gallbladder, which is the little purse like structure under your liver that is used to store bile. Bile aids in digestion of fatty foods. Gallstones are rare in children. Gall stones may run in families, and may not even cause any symptoms. 

There are situations that increase the risk of developing gallstones, such as certain medications, cyanotic heart disease, haemolytic disorders (such as Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell disease), and weight loss or weight gain. 

When gallstones stones cause pain it is called Biliary Colic. It is characterised by pain after eating, especially fatty food, that is felt in the upper abdomen and may radiate to the right shoulder or the back. 

If the gallbladder becomes obstructed, inflamed and eventually infected, this is called Cholecystitis and is an emergency problem. There will usually be constant pain, and a fever. 

If the gall stones block the bile duct, they can cause jaundice or a yellowing of the skin and eyes. 

Gall stones can also pass from the gall bladder to the intestines, and in doing so cause pancreatitis, which is a severely painful and dangerous condition.