Gallstones

These are hardened particles that form inside your
gallbladder. This small organ plays a role in
digestion. It stores bile, a digestive fluid that helps
break down fatty foods and eliminate waste from
your body.If you like to know how your Insurance covers
this please call us at 509-443-5416.

Gallstones may develop because of an imbalance
of cholesterol, salt or other substances in your bile.
A gallstone can be as small as a grain of sand or as
large as a golf ball. You can develop many
gallstones, or just one.

Gallstones are more common in women, and in
people age 60 and older. Your risk is higher if you
are pregnant. You have a higher risk if you take
birth control pills or certain medications. People
who have diabetes have an increased risk. Your
risk is higher if you are overweight or obese, if you
have lost a lot of weight quickly, or if you don't eat a
proper diet. And, your genetics may make you more
likely to develop gallstones.

You can have gallstones without having any
symptoms. But if a gallstone blocks a bile duct in
your body, you can experience a sudden, painful
episode. This is called a "gallbladder attack." It can
last from minutes to hours. It can cause intense
pain in the center or in the right side of your upper
abdomen. You may feel pain between your
shoulder blades. You may feel pain in your right
shoulder. A severe gallbladder attack can cause
serious complications and requires immediate
medical care.

Gallstones that do not cause problems may not
require any treatment. If your gallstones are
causing symptoms, you may benefit from
medications that can dissolve the gallstones. You
may also benefit from surgery to remove your
gallbladder. Your healthcare provider can create a
care plan that is right for your needs.