Verified By Apollo General Physician August 8, 2023
8531Many people may not know the difference between a gallbladder stone (or gallstone) and a kidney stone is. Most think that the two are the same thing.
There are some crucial differences between the two. Gallstones and kidney stones are two completely distinct entities, and their origins, too, lie in two different systems of the human body.
Both gallstones and kidney stones are very common and can exist in your body without causing any harm to you. Both are considerably painless in the beginning and require treatment only when they assume larger proportions.
The similarities don’t stop here. Both kidney stones and gallbladder stones can stop the flow of fluids in your body. They can cause immense pain and discomfort and may require treatment or even surgery to remove them.
Gallstones are found in the gallbladder. The primary function of the gallbladder is to store bile. Besides, the gallbladder also helps with digestion.
Gallstones are hard lump-like substances that form inside the bile duct or gallbladder. The bile produced by the human body consists of fats, water, cholesterol, proteins, bile, and salt.
Gallstones are produced when there is too much cholesterol or bilirubin, yet another by-product of the gallbladder.
Gallstones are initially as tiny as a grain of sand but gradually, with time, grow bigger. Thanks to their small size, most people have no idea they have them until they begin to hurt. They are also responsible for cholecystitis, where they cause tremendous pain to the affected individual.
If not treated early, they could cause severe pain and cause further complications by blocking ducts. They can also lead to infections if not removed.
Kidney stones, on the other hand, are formed by mineral deposits in the kidney. The kidney filters the blood and turns the waste into urine. This leads to the separation of minerals from toxic waste. These minerals then combine and build-up to form sand-size grains. But with time, they get bigger and can cause complications in the system.
Kidney stones are often caused by low levels of fluid in your body. When your body has enough water and fluids, then the kidneys function properly and do not allow the build-up of kidney stones. There are several causes of kidney stones, such as an unhealthy diet, age, and calcium supplements.
Similar to gallstones, kidney stones, too, can be asymptomatic in the beginning. You may start to experience pain in the kidneys first and gradually feel it in other parts.
The causes of gallstones can be multiple:
There are multiple causes of kidney stones:
The symptoms of gallstones are the following:
Risk factors associated with gallstones include lifestyle, medical and other factors. These are namely:
In its early stage, a gallstone is asymptomatic, leaving the affected individual unaware of its presence. Only when it increases in size and causes a blockage resulting in pain, does the person realize gallstone exists.
The most effective treatment is surgery.
Gallstones can be prevented by making good lifestyle choices. These include keeping a healthy body weight and exercising regularly.
Treatment for kidney stones involves some natural methods such as these:
If the kidney stones are too large, the doctor may suggest surgery to have them removed.
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October 25, 2024