Gallbladders can be a very finicky organ in your body. They have the very specific job of storing and releasing bile created by your liver, which helps break down the food you eat.

If that process becomes disrupted, altered or is stopped somehow, the bile cannot be released properly and can eventually form into a hard deposit called a gallstone. Get the details about gallstones from our AFC Urgent Care Easley team below.

Does Food Cause Gallstones?

In terms of gallstone formation, one common thought is that gallstones are more likely to form in people who have high cholesterol or who eat a fatty diet. That’s because the more cholesterol your bile contains, the harder it is for the bile to be released properly.

When a gallstone forms, it can vary in size from as tiny as a grain of sand all the way up to the size of a golf ball. Gallstone pain can be significant, and it is typically felt in the upper right portion of your abdomen or right behind your breastbone.

Common Gallstone Pain Locations

• Sudden or intense pain in the upper right abdomen
• Back pain between your shoulder blades
• Pain in right shoulder
• Intensifying pain behind your breastbone

Can My Gallstone Be Treated Easily?

Gallstones are common, which means there are a variety of treatment options available. Some stones are small enough to pass on their own without any intervention, and others can be dissolved by a prescribed medication.

In some cases, gallbladder removal surgery may be discussed. This is a common surgery because you don’t need your gallbladder to function normally. If you have recurrent gallstones or if you have an especially large or painful stone, surgery may be recommended as the best long-term treatment option.

High-Risk Categories For Gallstones

• Women
• Those age 40 or older
• Overweight or obese individuals
• Those with a poor diet
  

Gallstone pain can be intense! Come see us at AFC Urgent Care Easley if you are experiencing abdominal pain with no known cause.