Do you feel bloated after a heavy or greasy meal or experience a sharp pain near your right side?
It’s easy to think of it as acidity or indigestion, but these signs could point to something more serious. It could be gallstones.
One of the biggest culprits behind gallstones is something we hear about every day: Cholesterol.
Cholesterol isn’t just bad for your heart, it can also mess with your digestive system. When too much cholesterol builds up in your bile (a digestive fluid produced by the liver), it can form solid stones inside your gallbladder. Its symptoms remain silent for years.
In this blog, we will break it down simply to help you understand how cholesterol causes gallstones. You will even get to know whom you should consult for your problems.
What are Gallstones?
Gallstones are hardened deposits that form inside the gallbladder. This is a small organ located just beneath your liver. Your gallbladder stores and releases bile, a substance that helps digest fats.
Sometimes, the bile contains too much cholesterol or not enough bile salts, causing crystals to form. These crystals clump together and slowly turn into stones.
Gallstones can range in size from a grain of sand to a golf ball. Some people have just one, while others may have several. They are classified into two types:
- Cholesterol Gallstones: The most common type, made of hardened cholesterol.
- Pigment Gallstones: These are made from excess bilirubin. It is often linked to liver disease or blood disorders.
The surprising part? Gallstones can be silent for years. They only cause symptoms, when they block the bile ducts or irritate the gallbladder.
What are the causes of Gallstones?
While cholesterol is a major cause, other risk factors also contribute to gallstone formation. Here’s what can trigger their development:
- Excess Cholesterol in Bile
When the liver secretes more cholesterol than bile can dissolve, the excess crystallizes.
- Poor Gallbladder Emptying
If the gallbladder doesn’t empty completely or often enough, bile becomes concentrated, and stone formation begins.
- Too Much Bilirubin
Conditions like liver disease or certain infections can increase bilirubin, contributing to pigment stone formation.
Other contributing factors include:
- Obesity or sudden weight loss
- A high-fat, low-fibre diet
- Diabetes
- Pregnancy or hormone therapy
- Age (over 40) and gender (women are more prone)
- Family history of gallstones
Most often, it’s a combination of these factors that sets the stage for gallstone development.
What are the Symptoms of Gallstones?
Gallstones often go unnoticed until they block a bile duct. Once that happens, you may experience a range of uncomfortable symptoms. Common signs include:
- Sudden, sharp pain in the upper right abdomen or centre of the stomach
- Back pain between the shoulder blades
- Pain after meals, especially fatty foods
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bloating or feeling overly full
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice) in severe cases
The pain usually lasts from a few minutes to several hours and is commonly referred to as a “Gallbladder attack.” If left untreated, gallstones lead to serious complications like Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder), infections, or even pancreatitis.
If you frequently experience any of these symptoms, it’s time to seek expert care.
Who is Affected and How Are Gallstones Diagnosed?
Gallstones can affect anyone, but certain groups are more at risk. You are more likely to develop them if:
- You are over 40
- You are a female
- You are overweight or obese
- You have a sedentary lifestyle
- You have a family history of gallstone disease
- You have recently lost a significant amount of weight
- You have high cholesterol or diabetes
Diagnosis starts with a clinical examination and medical history. Your doctor may recommend:
- Ultrasound: The most common and effective imaging test to detect gallstones.
- CT Scan or MRI: For more detailed imaging if complications are suspected.
- Blood Tests: To check for infections, liver function, or inflammation.
- HIDA Scan: Assesses gallbladder function and bile flow.
Accurate diagnosis is crucial in determining the appropriate course of treatment, especially when surgery is required.
What is the Treatment for Gallstones?
Gallstone treatment depends on the size of the stones, the frequency of symptoms, and whether complications are present. In the early stages, when symptoms are mild or infrequent, the treatment may be conservative like:
- Dietary changes: You will be asked to avoid high-fat, spicy, and greasy foods. This can reduce bile saturation and prevent further stone formation.
- Medication: Doctors may prescribe bile acid pills to dissolve cholesterol gallstones. However, this is a slow process and only works for small stones.
- Lifestyle modifications: Regular exercise, weight management, and staying hydrated help support gallbladder function.
For advanced cases, where gallstones cause pain, infection, or blockages, surgery is often the best option. The most effective and commonly performed procedure is Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.
This minimally invasive surgery involves making small incisions and using a camera-guided instrument to remove the gallbladder. It offers quicker recovery, less scarring, and reduced post-operative discomfort. Most patients are able to return to normal activities within a week.
Why you should trust Dr. Ranajoy Dutta?
When it comes to Gallstone disease treatment, Dr. Ranajoy Dutta is a name trusted by hundreds of patients for his expertise. His patient-first approach and precision in advanced gallbladder surgeries are notable.
Dr. Dutta is a highly skilled gastrointestinal and laparoscopic surgeon with years of experience in managing complex gallstone and gallbladder conditions.
His reputation lies in combining clinical excellence with compassionate care. From early-stage diagnosis to successful laparoscopic interventions, he ensures his patients are thoroughly informed and comfortable at every step.
What sets him apart?
- Expertise in minimally invasive laparoscopic surgeries with a high success rate
- Specialised focus on digestive and hepatobiliary conditions.
- A team of trained staff and advanced infrastructure for accurate diagnosis and safe treatment
- Transparent consultations with a focus on educating patients about their options
Whether you are seeking a second opinion or need immediate surgical care, Dr. Ranajoy Dutta offers both clarity and confidence. His modern techniques ensure minimal scarring, low complication rates, and quicker recovery.
With a trusted name like his, your health is in expert hands.
Care you can count on
Gallstones may start small but can quickly turn painful if left untreated. If you have been feeling unexplained abdominal pain, discomfort after meals, or signs of digestive trouble, don’t ignore the red flags.
With early diagnosis and proper treatment, from lifestyle changes to laparoscopic surgery, you can prevent complications and live free of discomfort. With Dr. Ranajoy Dutta, you don’t just get treatment; you get a solution backed by skill, safety, and care.
Don’t wait for the pain to worsen
Book a consultation with Dr. Ranajoy Dutta today for Gallstone disease treatment in Kolkata. Whether you are dealing with silent stones or persistent pain, expert help is just a call away.