Our bodies are wonderfully complex and constantly working behind the scenes to keep us functioning properly. Whenever one of the systems within our body fails to perform, trouble can ensue.

This is certainly true when it comes to your gallbladder! This finicky organ is responsible for storing and releasing the bile created by our liver. That bile helps break down the food that we eat.

If your gallbladder fails to empty for some reason, the bile that is left over can form into a hardened deposit called a gallstone. Read on to get all the details about how gallstones affect our bodies from our AFC Urgent Care Bronx Webster Ave. team.

What Is the Main Cause of Gallstones?

Gallstones can form out a variety of factors, but most commonly they occur whenever there is a change in the makeup of your bile. One of these changes could be if your bile contains too much cholesterol.

An overload of cholesterol can be harder for your bile to break down, which leaves you with the risk of gallstone formation. If a gallstone does form, it could be as tiny as a single grain of sand or as big as a golf ball. In any case, gallstones can be incredibly painful.

Gallstone Pain Symptoms

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

Can Gallstones Cause Serious Problems?

Minor gallstones or a single incident doesn’t necessarily indicate a serious problem. Small gallstones can typically be passed or dissolved with medication. If you have a particularly painful case or if you have trouble with recurring stones, your medical provider may recommend gallbladder removal surgery. This surgery is very common as you can live a normal life without a gallbladder.

Failing to treat your gallstone problem can leave you with inflammation or blockages in your bile or pancreatic ducts. That can lead to further complications like pancreatitis, which typically requires a hospital stay to recover from.

Those More Likely to Get Gallstones

• Females
• People age 40 or older
• Overweight or obese individuals
• People with a poor diet
  

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