What are gallstones and how do they form. How can gallstones affect your health. What treatments are available for gallstone removal. When should you seek medical attention for gallstone symptoms. How can you prevent gallstones from developing.

Understanding Gallstones: Formation and Types

Gallstones are hardened deposits that form in the gallbladder, a small organ located beneath the liver. These stones develop when substances in bile, primarily cholesterol, solidify and accumulate. While gallstones are common, they often remain asymptomatic. However, when they cause problems, the effects can be quite serious.

There are two main types of gallstones:

• Cholesterol stones: Yellow in color, these are the most common type, forming when there’s an excess of cholesterol in the bile.
• Pigment stones: Dark brown or black, these stones develop due to high levels of bilirubin in the bile.

The exact cause of gallstone formation is not fully understood, but it’s believed to result from a chemical imbalance in the bile. This imbalance can occur due to several factors, including excessive cholesterol production, increased bilirubin levels, or incomplete emptying of the gallbladder.

Risk Factors for Gallstone Development

Certain individuals are more prone to developing gallstones. Risk factors include:

• Obesity
• Rapid weight loss
• Diabetes
• Age (over 40)
• Gender (women are more susceptible)
• Family history
• Certain medications (e.g., hormone replacement therapy)

Understanding these risk factors can help individuals take preventive measures and seek early medical attention if symptoms arise.

Recognizing Gallstone Symptoms: When to Seek Help

While many people with gallstones remain asymptomatic, others may experience a range of symptoms. The most common sign is pain in the upper right abdomen or the center of the stomach, often occurring after consuming fatty foods. This pain, known as biliary colic, can be severe and typically lasts for a few hours.

Other symptoms that may indicate gallstone complications include:

• Fever and chills
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dark urine and light-colored stools
• Persistent pain lasting more than 5 hours

Is it possible to have gallstones without symptoms? Yes, in fact, about 80% of people with gallstones have “silent gallstones” and experience no pain or discomfort. These are often discovered incidentally during imaging tests for other conditions.

When should you seek medical attention for gallstone symptoms? If you experience sudden, intense abdominal pain, particularly if accompanied by fever or jaundice, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical care. These symptoms could indicate a gallbladder infection or blockage, which can lead to serious complications if left untreated.

Diagnosing Gallstones: Medical Tests and Procedures

Accurate diagnosis of gallstones is essential for proper treatment. Doctors employ various tests and procedures to confirm the presence of gallstones and assess their impact on your health.

Common Diagnostic Methods

• Ultrasound: This non-invasive imaging test is the most common and reliable method for detecting gallstones.
• CT scan: Provides detailed images of the gallbladder and surrounding organs.
• HIDA scan: A nuclear medicine test that evaluates gallbladder function and detects blockages.
• Blood tests: Help identify signs of infection or inflammation.
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): A procedure that combines X-rays and endoscopy to diagnose and sometimes treat gallstone-related problems.

How accurate are these diagnostic methods? Ultrasound has a high sensitivity and specificity for detecting gallstones, with accuracy rates over 95% for stones larger than 2mm. However, smaller stones may be missed, and obesity can affect image quality.

What happens after a gallstone diagnosis? Your doctor will consider factors such as the severity of your symptoms, the size and number of stones, and your overall health to determine the most appropriate treatment plan.

Treatment Options for Gallstones: Surgical and Non-Surgical Approaches

The treatment of gallstones depends on the severity of symptoms and the patient’s overall health. While some cases may not require immediate intervention, others might necessitate prompt medical attention or surgery.

Surgical Treatment: Cholecystectomy

Cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder, is the most common and effective treatment for symptomatic gallstones. There are two main types of cholecystectomy:

1. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A minimally invasive procedure performed through small incisions in the abdomen. It’s the preferred method due to shorter recovery times and fewer complications.
2. Open cholecystectomy: A traditional surgery involving a larger incision, typically reserved for cases where laparoscopic surgery isn’t possible or complications arise during the procedure.

Is it safe to live without a gallbladder? Yes, the gallbladder is not an essential organ, and most people can lead normal, healthy lives after its removal. The liver continues to produce bile, which flows directly into the small intestine to aid digestion.

Non-Surgical Treatments

In some cases, non-surgical approaches may be considered, especially for patients who are poor candidates for surgery:

• Oral dissolution therapy: Medications like ursodeoxycholic acid can be used to dissolve small cholesterol stones over time.
• Lithotripsy: A procedure that uses shock waves to break up gallstones, making them easier to pass or dissolve.
• Lifestyle changes: For some patients with mild symptoms, dietary modifications and weight loss may help manage gallstone-related discomfort.

How effective are non-surgical treatments? While these methods can be successful in certain cases, they often have lower success rates compared to surgery and may not prevent recurrence of gallstones. Your doctor will help determine the most suitable approach based on your individual circumstances.

Living with Gallstones: Diet and Lifestyle Modifications

For individuals diagnosed with gallstones, particularly those with asymptomatic or mild cases, dietary and lifestyle changes can play a crucial role in managing the condition and preventing complications.

Dietary Recommendations

A gallstone-friendly diet typically includes:

• High-fiber foods: Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes
• Lean proteins: Fish, poultry, and plant-based protein sources
• Healthy fats: Olive oil, avocados, and nuts in moderation
• Adequate hydration: Plenty of water and other non-caffeinated, non-alcoholic beverages

Foods to limit or avoid:

• Fried and fatty foods
• Processed meats and high-fat dairy products
• Refined carbohydrates and sugary foods
• Excessive caffeine and alcohol

Can dietary changes alone prevent or treat gallstones? While a healthy diet can help reduce the risk of gallstone formation and may alleviate symptoms in some cases, it’s not a guaranteed solution for existing gallstones. However, maintaining a balanced diet is beneficial for overall health and can complement other treatment approaches.

Lifestyle Modifications

In addition to dietary changes, consider the following lifestyle modifications:

• Regular exercise: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week.
• Weight management: If overweight, gradual weight loss can help reduce the risk of gallstone formation.
• Stress reduction: Practice stress-management techniques like meditation or yoga.
• Meal timing: Eat regular, balanced meals to promote proper gallbladder emptying.

How do these lifestyle changes impact gallstone risk? Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce the risk of gallstone formation by promoting healthy cholesterol levels and improving gallbladder function. However, it’s important to note that rapid weight loss can actually increase the risk of gallstones, so gradual, sustainable weight loss is recommended.

Preventing Gallstones: Proactive Measures for Long-Term Health

While not all gallstones can be prevented, there are several steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing them. Prevention strategies focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and addressing modifiable risk factors.

Key Prevention Strategies

1. Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity increases the risk of gallstones, but aim for gradual weight loss if needed.
2. Eat a balanced diet: Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
3. Stay physically active: Regular exercise helps maintain a healthy weight and promotes good gallbladder function.
4. Stay hydrated: Adequate fluid intake can help prevent bile from becoming too concentrated.
5. Limit high-fat foods: Reduce consumption of fried foods and high-fat dairy products.
6. Consider preventive medications: In high-risk cases, doctors may prescribe medications to reduce the likelihood of gallstone formation.

Are there any supplements that can help prevent gallstones? Some studies suggest that vitamin C, coffee, and moderate alcohol consumption may have protective effects against gallstone formation. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings, and it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider before making significant changes to your diet or supplement regimen.

Special Considerations for High-Risk Groups

Certain populations may need to take extra precautions to prevent gallstones:

• Pregnant women: Pregnancy increases the risk of gallstones. Maintaining a healthy diet and appropriate weight gain during pregnancy is important.
• Individuals with a family history: Those with a genetic predisposition to gallstones should be especially vigilant about lifestyle factors.
• People on rapid weight loss diets: Consult a healthcare provider to ensure weight loss is achieved safely without increasing gallstone risk.
• Individuals with certain medical conditions: Diabetes, liver disease, and some blood disorders can increase gallstone risk. Work closely with your healthcare team to manage these conditions effectively.

How often should you be screened for gallstones if you’re in a high-risk group? There are no standard screening recommendations for gallstones in asymptomatic individuals. However, if you’re at high risk, discuss with your doctor whether periodic ultrasound screenings might be beneficial in your case.

Gallstones in Special Populations: Pregnancy, Elderly, and Pediatric Cases

Gallstones can affect individuals across different age groups and life stages, but certain populations may face unique challenges or increased risks.

Gallstones During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a known risk factor for gallstone formation due to hormonal changes and increased cholesterol levels. Pregnant women may experience:

• Higher incidence of gallstone formation
• Increased risk of complications if symptoms occur
• Challenges in treatment options due to concerns for fetal safety

How are gallstones managed during pregnancy? Treatment depends on the severity of symptoms. Conservative management is often preferred, but in severe cases, surgery may be necessary. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be safely performed during the second trimester if required.

Gallstones in the Elderly

Older adults are more susceptible to gallstones due to several factors:

• Age-related changes in gallbladder function
• Increased cholesterol levels
• Higher likelihood of comorbidities

What special considerations are there for treating gallstones in the elderly? While cholecystectomy remains the standard treatment, the risks and benefits must be carefully weighed, especially in frail patients. Non-surgical options may be considered more frequently in this population.

Pediatric Gallstones

Although less common, gallstones can occur in children and adolescents. Risk factors in this population include:

• Obesity
• Certain medications
• Hemolytic disorders
• Prolonged parenteral nutrition

How does the approach to gallstones differ in pediatric cases? Diagnostic and treatment approaches are similar to those in adults, but there’s often a greater emphasis on identifying and addressing underlying causes. Long-term follow-up is crucial to monitor for recurrence and potential complications.

Understanding the unique aspects of gallstones in these special populations helps healthcare providers tailor their approach to ensure the best possible outcomes for each patient. Regular medical check-ups and open communication with healthcare providers are essential for early detection and effective management of gallstones across all age groups and life stages.

Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and More

Gallstones are deposits of digestive fluid made of solidified substances found in bile, like cholesterol. They are common and may or may not produce symptoms. People with symptoms usually need to have their gallbladders taken out.

Read on to learn more about gallstones, the symptoms they can cause, and how to treat them.

Your gallbladder is a small organ in your upper right abdomen, right below your liver. It’s a pouch that stores bile, a green-yellow liquid that helps digestion. Issues with your gallbladder typically occur when something is blocking its bile duct—like a gallstone.

Most gallstones are created when substances found in bile, like cholesterol, harden. Gallstones are very common and routinely asymptomatic.

However, about 10 percent of people who are diagnosed with gallstones will develop noticeable symptoms within 5 years.

Photo: Bruce Blaus | Wikimedia Commons | https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gallstones. png

Gallstones can lead to pain in the upper right abdomen or the center of your stomach. You may experience gallbladder pain from time to time after you eat foods that are high in fat, such as fried foods, but the pain can occur at almost any time.

Pain caused by gallstone issues usually lasts for only a few hours, but it can feel severe.

If gallstones are left untreated or unidentified, the symptoms may increase to include:

• a high temperature
• rapid heartbeat
• yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
• itchy skin
• diarrhea
• chills
• confusion
• a loss of appetite

These symptoms can be signs of a gallbladder infection, or inflammation of the gallbladder, liver, or pancreas.

Because gallstone symptoms may mimic the symptoms of other serious issues like appendicitis and pancreatitis, no matter what, if you’re dealing with one or more of these issues — it’s time to see a doctor or get yourself to the ER.

If you need help finding a urologist, then check out our FindCare tool here.

Asymptomatic gallstones

Gallstones themselves don’t cause pain. Rather, pain occurs when gallstones block the movement of bile from the gallbladder.

According to the American College of Gastroenterology, about 80 percent of people who have gallstones have “silent gallstones.” This means they don’t experience pain or have symptoms. In these cases, your doctor may discover the gallstones from X-rays or during abdominal surgery.

The actual cause of gallstones is thought to be due to a chemical imbalance of bile inside of the gallbladder. While researchers still aren’t clear about what exactly causes that imbalance to happen, there are a few possible reasons:

Too much cholesterol in your bile

Having too much cholesterol in your bile can lead to yellow cholesterol stones. These hard stones may develop if your liver makes more cholesterol than your bile can dissolve.

Too much bilirubin in your bile

Bilirubin is a chemical produced during the normal breakdown of red blood cells. After it’s created, it passes through the liver and is eventually excreted out of the body.

Some conditions, such as liver damage and certain blood disorders, cause your liver to produce more bilirubin than it should. Pigment gallstones form when your gallbladder can’t break down the excess bilirubin. These hard stones are often dark brown or black.

Concentrated bile due to a full gallbladder

Your gallbladder needs to be able to empty its bile to function properly. If it fails to empty its bile content, the bile becomes overly concentrated, which can cause stones to form.

Most of the time, you won’t need treatment for gallstones unless they cause you pain. Sometimes you can pass gallstones without even noticing. If you’re in pain, your doctor will likely recommend surgery. In rare cases, medication may be used.

If you’re at high risk for surgery complications, there are a few nonsurgical ways to attempt to treat gallstones. However, if surgery isn’t performed, your gallstones may come back — even with additional treatment. This means you may need to keep an eye on your condition for the majority of your life.

Surgery

Cholecystectomy, which is surgery to remove the gallbladder, is one of the most common operations performed on adults in the United States. Because the gallbladder isn’t an essential organ, it’s possible to live a healthy life without it.

There are two types of cholecystectomy:

• Laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This is a common surgery that requires general anesthesia. The surgeon will usually make three or four incisions in your abdomen. They’ll then insert a small, lighted device into one of the incisions, check for stones, and carefully remove your gallbladder. You can usually go home on the day of the procedure or the day after if you have no complications.
• Open cholecystectomy.This surgery is typically performed when the gallbladder is inflamed, infected, or scarred. This surgery may also happen if problems occur during a laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

You may experience loose or watery stools after gallbladder removal. Removing a gallbladder involves rerouting the bile from the liver to the small intestine. Bile no longer goes through the gallbladder and it becomes less concentrated. The immediate result is a laxative effect that can cause diarrhea, but this issue should resolve on its own for most people.

Nonsurgical treatments

If surgery can’t be performed, such as if the patient is a much older individual, there are a few other ways doctors can try to get rid of your gallstones.

• Oral dissolution therapy typically includes using the medications ursodiol (Actigall) and chenodiol (Chenix) to break up gallstones. These medications contain bile acids, which work to break up the stones. This treatment is best suited for breaking up cholesterol stones and can take many months or years to work completely.
• Shock wave lithotripsy is another option. A lithotripter is a machine that generates shock waves that pass through a person. These shock waves can break gallstones into smaller pieces.
• Percutaneous drainage of the gallbladder involves placing a sterile needle into the gallbladder to aspirate (draw out) bile. A tube is then inserted to help with additional drainage. This procedure isn’t typically a first line of defense and tends to be an option for individuals who may not be suited for other procedures.

Some risk factors for gallstones are related to diet, while other factors are not as controllable. Uncontrollable risk factors are things like age, race, sex, and family history.

Lifestyle risk factors

• living with obesity
• a diet high in fat or cholesterol and low in fiber
• undergoing rapid weight loss
• living with type 2 diabetes

Genetic risk factors

• being born female
• being of Native American or Mexican descent
• having a family history of gallstones
• being 60 years or older

Medical risk factors

• living with cirrhosis
• being pregnant
• taking certain medications to lower cholesterol
• taking medications with a high estrogen content (like certain birth controls)

While some medications may increase your risk of gallstones, don’t stop taking them unless you have discussed it with your doctor and have their approval.

Your doctor will perform a physical examination that includes checking your eyes and skin for visible changes in color. A yellowish tint may be a sign of jaundice, the result of too much bilirubin in your body.

The exam may involve using diagnostic tests that help your doctor see inside your body. These tests include:

• Ultrasound. An ultrasound produces images of your abdomen. It’s the preferred imaging method to confirm that you have gallstone disease. It can also show abnormalities associated with acute cholecystitis.
• Abdominal CT scan. This imaging test takes pictures of your liver and abdominal region.
• Gallbladder radionuclide scan. This important scan takes about one hour to complete. A specialist injects a radioactive substance into your veins. The substance travels through your blood to the liver and gallbladder. On a scan, it can reveal evidence to suggest infection or blockage of the bile ducts from stones.
• Blood tests. Your doctor may order blood tests that measure the amount of bilirubin in your blood. The tests also help determine how well your liver is functioning.

To help improve your condition and reduce your risk of gallstones, try these tips:

• Eat fewer refined carbs (like cookies and white bread) and less sugar.
• Increase your intake of healthy fats, like fish oil and olive oil, which may help your gallbladder contract and empty on a regular basis.
• Eat the proper amount of fiber per day (women need about 25 grams a day, men need about 38 grams a day).
• Get some sort of physical activity every day.
• Keep yourself properly hydrated.

If you plan to lose weight, do it slowly. Rapid weight loss may increase your risk of gallstones and other health problems.

While there is no foolproof way to completely prevent gallstones, cholesterol seems to play a major role in their formation. If you have a family history of gallstones, your doctor may advise you to limit foods with a high saturated fat content. Some of these foods include:

• fatty meat, like sausage and bacon
• cakes and cookies
• lard and cream
• certain cheeses

Because people living with obesity are more predisposed to gallstones, keeping your weight within a moderate range is another way to limit the possibility of their formation.

If your doctor has diagnosed you with gallstones and decides you need surgery to remove them or your gallbladder, the outlook is often positive. In most cases of stone removal, stones don’t return.

If you aren’t able to have surgery and decide to take medication to dissolve the stones, the gallstones can return, so you and your doctor will need to monitor your progress.

If your gallstones aren’t causing symptoms, you will most likely not need to do anything. Still, you may want to make lifestyle changes to prevent them from getting bigger and causing problems.

Gallstones: Treatments, symptoms, and causes

Gallstones are stones or lumps that develop in the gallbladder or bile duct when certain substances harden.

The gallbladder is a small sac located on the right-hand side of the body, on the underside of the liver. Some of the chemicals that exist in the gallbladder can solidify into either one large stone or several small ones.

There are approximately 20 million Americans with gallstones. A 2008 study revealed that the prevalence of gallstones in adults in industrialized countries was around 10 percent and appeared to be rising.

Fast facts on gallstones

• The gallbladder is a small organ located on the underside of the liver.
• Stones can form when there is a chemical imbalance in the gallbladder.
• People with overweight and obesity are more likely to develop gallstones.
• Experts believe a low-fat, high-fiber diet may help prevent gallstones.

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The majority of people with gallstones experience no symptoms at all. This is because the stones stay in the gallbladder and cause no problems.

Sometimes, however, gallstones may lead to cholecystitis, or an inflamed gallbladder.

The primary symptom is pain that comes on suddenly and quickly gets worse. This pain can occur on the right side of the body, just below the ribs, between the shoulder blades, or in the right shoulder.

Other symptoms include:

• nausea
• vomiting
• sweating
• restlessness

Doctors only treat gallstones if they have caused gallbladder inflammation, blockage of the bile ducts, or if they have moved from the bile ducts into the intestines.

Treatments for gallstones include:

Cholecystectomy

Cholecystectomy means the surgical removal of the gallbladder. This is usually performed with laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic surgery is not possible for about 10 percent of people, who will need open cholecystectomy.

With open cholecystectomy, a large cut is made in the abdomen. People who undergo open surgery require a longer hospital stay and recovery time. If a person’s gallbladder is severely inflamed, they generally will need open surgery.

For a large proportion of those who undergo a cholecystectomy, gallstones come back within a year. To help prevent this, doctors give many people with gallstones ursosdeoxycholic acid, which is the acid found in bile.

Ursodeoxycholic acid

Ursosdeoxycholic acid lowers the cholesterol content of bile, making it less likely that stones will form.

If a gallstone is made of cholesterol, it can sometimes be slowly dissolved with ursodeoxycholic acid. This type of treatment, known as dissolution, may take up to 24 months to be effective. It is not as effective as surgery but is sometimes the only choice for people who cannot have a general anesthetic.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatolography

When a person with gallstones cannot have surgery or ursodeoxycholic acid, they may undergo endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatolography (ERCP), which requires a local anesthetic.

A doctor places a flexible fiber-optic camera, or endoscope, into the person’s mouth, then passes it through the digestive system and into the gallbladder.

An electrically heated wire widens the opening of the bile duct. The doctor can then remove the stones or leave them to pass into the intestine.

Lithotripsy

A doctor aims ultrasonic shock waves at the gallstones to break them up. If gallstones become small enough, they can then pass safely in a person’s stools. This type of treatment is uncommon and is only used when there are few gallstones present.

In many cases, a medical professional will discover a person’s gallstones by accident when treating the person for a different condition. A doctor may suspect gallstones after a cholesterol test, an ultrasound scan, a blood test, or even an X-ray.

The doctor may use blood tests to look for signs of infection, obstruction, pancreatitis, or jaundice.

Other diagnostic tests include:

Cholangiography

A medical professional injects a dye either into the bloodstream, so that it concentrates into the bile ducts or gallbladder, or straight into the bile ducts using an ERCP. The dye shows up on X-rays.

The doctor will then be able to look at the X-rays and identify possible gallbladder or bile duct disorders, such as pancreatitis, cancer of the pancreas, or gallstones. The X-rays will indicate to the doctor whether the dye is reaching the liver, bile ducts, intestines, and gallbladder.

If the dye does not move into one of these areas, it generally means that a gallstone is causing a blockage. An expert will have a better idea of where the gallstone is located.

The medical professional can also use ERCP to locate and remove stones in the bile duct.

CT scan

This is a non-invasive X-ray that produces cross-section pictures of the inside of the human body.

Cholescintigraphy (HIDA scan)

A medical professional injects a small amount of harmless radioactive material into the patient. This is absorbed by the gallbladder, which the medical professional then stimulates to contract. This test may diagnose abnormal contractions of the gallbladder or an obstruction of the bile duct.

It used to be the case that doctors would advise people with gallstones who were not yet ready for surgery to follow an extremely low-fat diet to prevent gallstone growth.

Researchers have recently concluded this approach is less helpful than previously thought, as rapid weight loss can cause gallstones.

Instead, the recommendation is that people with gallstones eat a balanced diet with regular meals. This will not cure gallstones, but it can have a positive impact on any symptoms and pain.

Avoiding foods high in saturated fats such as butter, hard cheese, cakes, and cookies can help reduce the risk of gallstones developing. Cholesterol is thought to have a role in forming gallstones.

People can also make positive dietary steps changes to help prevent the condition, such as eating more nuts and consuming less alcohol.

Gallstones may form when the chemicals in the gallbladder are out of balance, such as cholesterol, calcium bilirubinate, and calcium carbonate.

There are two main types of gallstones.

Cholesterol gallstones may form if there is too much cholesterol in the bile. They are the main type of gallstones in the United States.

Pigment gallstones form when the bile has too much bilirubin. They are more common among people with liver disease, infected bile tubes, or blood disorders, such as sickle-cell anemia.

Experts are not completely sure why some people develop the chemical imbalance in their gallbladder that causes gallstones, while others do not.

However, gallstones are more common among people with obesity, especially women. A study revealed that having a waist size of 36 inches or more almost doubles a woman’s chances of developing gallstones and the need for surgery to remove them.

Other risk factors for gallstones include:

• having been pregnant
• having a family history of gallstones
• having recently lost lots of weight
• taking oral contraceptives
• being sedentary
• undergoing high-dose estrogen therapy
• having a gene variant that significantly increases the risk of developing gallstones
• having a high intake of dietary fat
• being over 60 years of age
• having Native American heritage
• taking cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins
• having diabetes

More women get gallstones than men. In addition, men who intentionally lost weight rapidly and then regained it may have an increased risk for gallstones later in life.

Additionally, research has linked hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women during menopause to a higher risk of gallbladder problems. A study found that HRT administered by skin patches or gels poses a smaller risk than HRT taken orally.

Below is a 3-D model of gallstones, which is fully interactive.

Explore the model using your mouse pad or touchscreen to understand more about gallstones.

If the bile duct or duodenum are blocked by gallstones, it can block the flow of digestive juices to the pancreas. This can cause jaundice and acute pancreatitis. Treatment usually involves the surgical removal of the gallbladder.

It is common for people who have had their gallbladder removed to experience feelings of bloating and indigestion, especially when they have a high-fat meal. Some may pass stools more often than before.

Living without a gallbladder

A person can survive without a gallbladder. The liver produces enough bile to digest a normal diet. If a person’s gallbladder is removed, the bile reaches the small intestine from the liver via the hepatic ducts, rather than being stored in the gallbladder.

A small proportion of people who have had their gallbladder removed will experience softer and more frequent stools for a while because their bile flows into the small intestine more often.

Other complications

Other potential complications of gallstones include:

Biliary colic

When a stone gets stuck in the opening of the gallbladder and will not easily pass through, the contraction of the gallbladder may cause severe pain. When this happens, an individual may experience a painful condition called biliary colic.

The pain is felt in the upper part of the abdomen, but can also exist in the center or to the right of the abdomen. Pain is more common about an hour after eating, especially if an individual has had a high-fat meal.

The pain will be constant, last a few hours, and then subside. Some people will experience non-stop pain for 24 hours, while others may experience waves of pain.

Infection

If the gallstones have caused a gallbladder infection, the person with the condition may have a fever and experience shivering. In the majority of gallstone infection cases, people will be hospitalized for the removal of the gallstone.

Jaundice

If a gallstone leaves the gallbladder and gets stuck in the bile duct it may block the passage of bile into the intestine. The bile will then seep into the bloodstream, causing signs of jaundice.

In most cases, this complication will require the surgical removal of the gallstone. For some people, the gallstone eventually passes into the intestine.

Pancreatitis

If a small gallstone passes through the bile duct and blocks the pancreatic duct, or causes a reflux of liquids and bile into the duct, an individual may develop pancreatitis.

A person can’t change some of the factors that can increase their risk of developing gallstones, such as age, sex, and ethnic origin.

However, it is possible that following a vegetarian diet may reduce the risk of developing gallstones. Vegetarians have a significantly lower risk of developing gallstones compared with people who eat meat.

Many experts say that a diet low in fat and high in fruit and vegetables, including plenty of dietary fiber, also may help protect people from developing gallstones.

A person may also try controlling body weight to help prevent the formation of gallstones. However, crash dieting and rapid weight loss increase the risk of developing gallstones.

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What stones are combined with gold?

Since ancient times, there has been an opinion that every stone and metal affects human life, attracting certain events and people into it, acting with its magical power. All precious metals and gems are beautiful, but not all are perfect for each other. A successful choice of jewelry depends on the combination of stones with gold, silver or platinum.

In today’s world, the variety of jewelry such as earrings, pendants, bracelets, druze and rings has reached its apogee. Various brands and manufacturers of exclusive and original jewelry are developing the most unusual product designs. Without a doubt, silver or platinum favorably emphasize the image of any girl or young man, but only gold can make your image truly irresistible and unique.

It is believed that the magical properties of gems can be enhanced depending on its combination with an expensive metal. In order for the decoration to bring real benefits, giving good luck, happiness, prosperity, strength and health, you should pay attention to their interaction. What kind of stones to beautifully frame with yellow gold, how to choose the perfect piece of jewelry that will be not only beautiful, but also effective?

What kind of stone is inserted into gold?

When choosing gold jewelry, you need to understand what it is compatible with in order to enhance the positive impact of the product, and not vice versa.

There are several rules by which you can choose a worthy piece of jewelry endowed with effective magic power:

Signs of the Zodiac and gold jewelery with precious stones

Not only does the choice of stone matter, it also matters whether the gold suits your zodiac sign.

In accordance with astrological data, gold corresponds to the Sun, therefore this metal brings not only active vital energy, but also charisma into a person’s life, strengthens the creative and divine principle. Ideal for Leo, Aries and Taurus. It will interact well with Sagittarius, Capricorn, Gemini, Aquarius and Scorpio. Virgos should wear an alloy of the three precious metals, white, yellow and red. For all women born under the sign of Virgo, which stone in gold should be worn? Turquoise will go well with this alloy.

The Mineral Market online store offers a luxurious assortment of jewelry made of precious metals framed with a wide variety of crystals. You can buy jewelry inexpensively in St. Petersburg at mineralmarket.ru.

Other products made from this stone:

Precious stones and alloys

Jewelry industry solution

a very ancient type of decorative and applied art.
Jewelry is a variety of jewelry made of precious metals and their alloys, combined with precious, semi-precious and semi-precious stones, made with great skill and meeting high aesthetic requirements.
Precious metals are: gold, silver, platinum and platinum group metals – palladium, iridium, rhodium, ruthenium and osmium.

gemstones include: natural diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, alexandrites, as well as synthetic gemstones grown in artificial (similar to natural) conditions. Unique amber formations and natural pearls in processed or natural form are also considered precious stones.
Semi-precious stones are aquamarine, tourmaline, amethyst, garnet, topaz, citrine, turquoise, opal, etc.

Since ancient times, man has loved to decorate himself and his home. In the Stone Age, jewelry was made of stone, wood, bone, clay, shells. And even then, a person collected and used natural semi-precious stones for jewelry: rock crystal, rubies, sapphires, carnelian, etc.
People got acquainted with metals several millennia ago. Compared to stones, metals are easily deformed, take any shape and, unlike clay, are durable. And gold and copper, in addition, have a very beautiful bright sunny color.
From metals, they learned how to obtain various alloys with desired properties. Of the oldest alloys, brass and bronze are best known. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, while bronze is an alloy of copper and tin. To obtain special qualities, additives of other metals can be used.
Gold has taken a special place. Its properties: an attractive color, the ability to retain luster for a long time, resistance to corrosion, immediately distinguished gold from all metals known to man at that time. Gold has become universally valued as a precious, noble metal. After some time, it turned into a universal monetary equivalent, which it remains to this day.
In all countries of ancient civilization, pharaohs, kings, emperors accumulated gold in their treasuries. Over time, gold became the measure of wealth and power.
Throughout the history of mankind, artists and craftsmen have created things that people have admired for centuries. People treat different types of jewelry with a sense of awe, and masterpieces created by craftsmen are of great value.
Over time, jewelers organized their small productions, which then began to transform into entire companies with their recognizable “chips” and their brands that conquered the whole world: Alberto Bossi, Alex Sepkus, Boucheron, Carrera, Cartier, Faberge, Favero, Fred, Harry Winston, Marco Bicego, Mark Patterson, Michael Baudry Beaudry), Tiffany (Tiffany) and others.

In the second half of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, the jewelry business of the Faberge firm, founded in 1848 in St. Petersburg, stood out in particular. Faberge’s masterpieces of jewelry art are admired all over the world.
At all times, jewelry emphasized the status of their owners, power and wealth. It has become prestigious to have such jewelry. Since ancient times, people have been indifferent to the golden brilliance. This is what scammers have been using since time immemorial, forging gold.
X-ray fluorescence spectrometers control the quality of jewelry. Imitation of gold does not always involve deception. When a jeweler creates a product from this or that alloy, he does not at all seek to pass it off as real gold, but only to evoke associations with a beautiful noble metal. It’s bad when a fake is issued for gold. During the existence of the jewelry industry, mankind has also developed many ways to replace not only gold, but also precious natural stone.
Glass has become the most common substitute. To imitate precious stones, a composition (rhinestone mixture, or lead crystal) was used, proposed in the 19th century by the German jeweler Georges Strass (Georges Strass) – 38.2% SiO2 (silicon oxide), 53.0% PbO (lead oxide) and 8.8% K2CO3 (potash, potassium carbonate) with a small amount of borax, glycerin and arsenic acid.
This rhinestone (or lead crystal, or imitation diamond) has, thanks to its high dispersion and high refractive index, a strong brilliance and play of color. Rhinestones allow you to imitate any precious stones (rubies, emeralds, sapphires, topazes, amethysts and others) by adding appropriate dyes to the rhinestone mixture.
Counterfeiting jewelry is an extraordinarily profitable business. But no fake will cost the buyer as much as a fake piece of jewelry.
A significant part of fake jewelry is smuggled into Russia from Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, China, Italy, Armenia, Israel, and some other countries. Most often, of all precious metals, gold is imitated.
In the production of such “gold” jewelry, not only different methods of diluting gold with other metals are used, but such “gold jewelry” is often sold, in which there is no gold at all. And instead of it, for example, the famous alloy of copper and zinc called “tompac” is used, which even an experienced jeweler cannot distinguish it from gold by eye
Tompac, being an alloy of copper and zinc, easily dissolves various additives, which makes it possible to obtain a wide range of colors of the alloy. With the help of tombak, the most popular varieties of gold are faked – yellow, green, pink. Tompac (a combination of 90% copper and 10% zinc) produces a composition that is resistant to corrosion under normal operating conditions, making fraud easier.
Tompak even got the name “fake gold”.
Imitation Gold Compounds

To detect fakes or confirm the authenticity of a piece of jewelry, convenient portable devices for analyzing the chemical composition of a substance come to the rescue – high-precision X-ray fluorescence spectrometers Elvax. They are often used in museums, cathedrals, when studying architectural monuments – wherever an accurate and quick analysis of the chemical composition of a product is needed. The range of determined elements is from Mg to U.

Mini laboratory for analysis and assay control ElvaX Jewelry is designed to perform high-precision analysis of precious metals and jewelry. The measurement result in carats and percentages is given after a few seconds.

Quick express analysis of a piece of jewelry is carried out using a handheld XRF spectrometer Elvax Prospector . The measurement can be carried out in any room or outside with this handy portable instrument.

Popular Handheld Spectrometer ElvaX ProSpector is a modern development of the ELVATECH Company. The spectrometer is powered by a lithium battery. Its charge lasts for 8 hours of continuous operation. Using the built-in (or replaceable) pocket personal computer, a set of analysis parameters is controlled directly in the measurement process.