Your gallbladder has a very individualized function within your body. It stores and releases bile produced by your liver to help break down fat within foods during digestion.

Sometimes, your gallbladder can have complications and cause a buildup of that bile. If a buildup occurs, it can turn into a hardened deposit of bile material called a gallstone. Get all the details below from our AFC Urgent Care Boulder team.

Where Do Gallstones Come From?

There are a variety of factors that come into play when it comes to gallstone creation, and sometimes the direct cause is unknown. There is a correlation between cholesterol levels in the body and gallstones, and people who are overweight are also more at risk of gallstones.

It is also possible for your gallbladder to stop functioning properly and will not empty fully during digestion. When that happens, bile can back up and create the hardened stones. Sometimes gallstones don’t produce any symptoms, but if they are large enough, it can be painful.

Gallstone Symptoms

• Sudden or intense pain in the upper right abdomen
• Back pain between your shoulder blades
• Nausea/vomiting
• Pain in right shoulder

What Are the Complications of Gallstones?

Gallstones typically will prompt a surgery to remove the entire gallbladder. You can survive without a gallbladder with minimal complications, so it is a relatively minor-risk surgery.

If you let gallstones remain in your gallbladder, it can cause inflammation or blockages of the bile duct or pancreatic duct. If your pancreas becomes inflamed, you could end up suffering from pancreatitis as well, and that typically warrants a hospital stay to recover from.

Risk Factors for Gallstones

• Being female
• Being age 40 or older
• Being overweight or obese
• Having a poor diet
  

Gallstones can be incredibly painful! If you are concerned about any upper abdominal pain, come see us at AFC Urgent Care Boulder.