Hor Ye Heng | Science |

Gallstones and
Kidney Stones
SCIENCE BAND 6 REPORT

Gallstones
BASIC INTRODUCTION
Gallstones are hardened deposits of digestive fluid that can form in your
gallbladder.
The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ on the right side of your
abdomen, just beneath your liver.
The gallbladder holds a digestive fluid called bile that's released into your small
intestine.
Gallstones range in size from as small as a grain of sand to as large as a golf
ball. Some people develop just one gallstone, while others develop many
gallstones at the same time.
Gallstones are common in Malaysia. People who experience symptoms from their
gallstones usually require gallbladder removal surgery. Gallstones that don't
cause any signs and symptoms typically don't need treatment.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Gallstones may cause no signs or symptoms. If a gallstone lodges in a duct and causes
a blockage, signs and symptoms may result. For example:
Sudden and rapidly intensifying pain in the upper right portion of your abdomen
Sudden and rapidly intensifying pain in the center of your abdomen, just below
your breastbone
Sudden and rapidly intensifying pain in the center of your abdomen, just below
your breastbone
Sudden and rapidly intensifying pain in the center of your abdomen, just below
your breastbone
Gallstone pain may last several minutes to a few hours.

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CAUSES
Bile contains too much cholesterol.
Bile contains too much bilirubin.
Gallbladder doesn't empty correctly.
TYPES
Common types include cholesterol gallstones and pigment gallstones.
TESTS TO DETECT GALLSTONES
CT scan (computerized tomography)
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography
Hepatobiliary Iminodiacetic Acid scan
TREATMENTS
Surgery to remove the gallbladder (cholecystectomy).
Medications to dissolve gallstones. Eg. ursodiol
Extracorporeal Shock-Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)
PREVENTION
Don't skip meals.
Lose weight slowly.
Maintain a healthy weight.

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Problem caused by gallstones.

Cholesterol Gallstones

CT Scan showing gallstones

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Non-invasive method for treating gallstones

Extracorporeal Shock-Wave Lithotripsy
(ESWL)
A shockwave is used to shatter the gallstone
and clear the blockage. This method is good

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Kidney Stones
BASIC INTRODUCTION
Kidney stones (renal lithiasis, nephrolithiasis) are small, hard mineral deposits
that form inside your kidneys. The stones are made of mineral and acid salts.
Passing kidney stones can be quite painful, but the stones usually cause no
permanent damage.
Depending on your situation, you may need nothing more than to take pain
medication and drink lots of water to pass a kidney stone.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Severe pain in the side and back, below the ribs
Pain that spreads to the lower abdomen and groin
Pain that comes in waves and fluctuates in intensity
Pain on urination
Pink, red or brown urine
Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
Nausea and vomiting
Persistent need to urinate
Urinating more often than usual
Fever and chills if an infection is present
Urinating small amounts of urine
CAUSES
Kidney stones form when your urine contains more crystal-forming substances
such as calcium, oxalate and uric acid than the fluid in your urine can dilute. At the
same time, your urine may lack substances that prevent crystals from sticking together,
creating an ideal environment for kidney stones to form.

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TYPES
The main types ok kidney stones are Calcium stones, Struvite stones formed in the
event of an infection, Uric Acid stones, Cystine stones (amino-acid stones), etc.
TESTS TO DETECT KIDNEY STONES
Blood testing. Blood is tested for excess calcium and uric acid.
Urine testing
X-ray imaging
CT scans
Analysis of passed stones.
TREATMENT
Small stones (not severe):
Drinking water. More than 2 liters a day.
Pain relievers
Medical therapy
Larger stones (more severe):
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)
Surgery to remove very large stones in the kidney.
Using a scope to remove stones.
PREVENTION
Drink water throughout the day
Eat fewer oxalate-rich foods. (rhubarb, beets, okra, spinach, Swiss chard, sweet
potatoes, nuts, tea, chocolate and soy products)
Choose a diet low in salt and animal protein
Medication to prevent further formation of stones

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Kidney stone after being

crushed.

Kidney stones can cause many problems

in the urinary system.

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CT Scan showing kidney stone in the

right kidney.

Method of treating kidney

stones.

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Comparison
Aspect

Kidney Stones

Gallstones

Location

Formed in the urinary system

Formed in the gall bladder

Made of

Minerals, Oxalate, Uric Acid

Cholesterol, Pigments

Symptoms

Sharp Pain near the kidneys

Nausea, vomiting,

Refer to page 4

abdominal pain
Refer to page 1

Treatment

Prevention

ESWL

Removal of gall bladder

Refer to page 5

Refer to page 2

Water Intake

Diet

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References
1. https://www.floridahospital.com/blog/gallstones-vs-kidney-stones-how-similar-arethey, Florida Hospital staf
2. http://www.everydayhealth.com/gallbladder/non-surgical-treatments-forgallstones.aspx, Everydayhealth
3. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gallstones/basics/definition/con20020461, Mayo Clinic Staf
4. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kidneystones/basics/definition/con-20024829, Mayo Clinic Staf

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