Cholelithiasis is a medical condition where hard, pebble-like deposits develop within the gallbladder ;also known as gallstones.
Types:
There are two types of gallstones or cholelithiasis
Cholesterol Stones:
The most prevalent kind, approximately 80 per cent of all gallstones fall into this category. They are made of cholesterol and are yellow-green.
Pigment Stones:
Also called bilirubin stones, these stones are made of bilirubin, and they mostly develop at the time of haemolysis (destruction of red blood cells). They are dark brown or black.
Symptoms:
The symptoms of cholelithiasis include:
- Some patients with gallstones may not have any symptoms at all. The gallstones are discovered during routine medical procedures such as x-ray, abdominal surgery etc.
- In case of choledocholithiasis, cramping pain is present in the center to the right upper abdomen where a large stone blocks either the cystic duct or common bile duct producing a condition known as biliary colic.
- Pain on the right side of the upper abdomen.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Fever.
- Jaundice.
- Dark coloured stools.
- Dark coloured urine discharge.
- Diarrhoea.
