Differences between Gallstones and Kidney Stones

Do you suffer from a stomach-ache that lasts more than an hour or 30 minutes?

And do you also suffer from other symptoms like fever, nausea, and vomiting along with this? This can also be a case of kidney stones or gallstones.

In general, the stone problem starts in the stomach with the two organs. One is from the kidney and the other is from the gallbladder. More than half a million people seek medical attention every year because of kidney stones and an estimated one in ten individuals will develop a kidney stone at some point during their lifetimes.

Both kidney stones and gallstones have different causes, symptoms, and treatments despite sharing similar-sounding names.

So, let's dive into the topic for more!

Kidney Stone

The role of the kidney is to remove excess fluid and toxins from the blood and release urine as waste. If there is not enough fluid in the urine or is too much waste in it, the chemicals can start to crystallize, which binds other chemicals and elements and form a hard stone called a kidney stone which is caused by things such as what you eat and how much water you drink.

Types of kidney stone

Calcium: This is the most common type of kidney stone. It is made when calcium and oxalate in the urine combine. Their formation may be caused by not getting enough calcium and water, among other things.

Struvite: These stones are not as common and are caused by infections in the upper urinary tract.

Uric acid: Most of the time, uric acid stones form when a person loses a lot of fluid, like when they have chronic diarrhoea or are not able to absorb nutrients well, they can also be caused by a high-protein diet, diabetes, and certain metabolic conditions.

Cystine: Cystine stones form in people who have cystinuria, a condition that is passed down from their families.

Symptoms of kidney stone

The severity of the health problems associated with kidney stones can be significantly associated with the size of the stone. More severe symptoms are brought on by larger kidney stones. It includes:

• Pain in the lower back
• Blood in urine
• Pain in the lower belly or the sides
• Fever
• Chills
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• A burning sensation when urinating
• Foul-smelling urine

• Intense urges to urinate

Kidney Stone Treatment

Drinking plenty of water can help flush out kidney stones if they are tiny enough to be passed into the urine. If the stone has grown to be quite large, a minimally invasive surgical approach may be used which includes,

• Shock-wave lithotripsy: A high-intensity sound wave breaks kidney stones which allows them to flow harmlessly in the urine.
• Ureteroscopy: It is a surgery in which the surgeon inserts a tiny wire basket into the lower ureter through the bladder, seizes the stone, and pulls it out.
• Nephrolithotomy:  Stones larger than 2 cm may necessitate this process. In this surgery, a path is made from the kidney to the skin so that stones can be removed.
  

Recurrence and Prevention

Stones in the kidney raise the risk of chronic kidney disease. Once you have had one kidney stone, you are more likely to have another. Individuals who have had one kidney stone may have a 50% chance of acquiring another within 5 to 7 years.

Kidney stones can be prevented by consuming less oxalate-rich foods and drinking plenty of water.

Gallstones

The gallbladder serves as a reservoir for bile secreted by the liver, which is then sent to the small intestine to help with digestion.

Gallstones form in the gallbladder when the substance in bile called bilirubin or cholesterol coagulates and hardens. And it is related to overall digestive health and liver function.

Causes of Gallstone

Gallstone development is sometimes difficult to understand. The most common reasons are:

Stones in the gallbladder form when bile becomes too concentrated due to infrequent or incomplete emptying of the gallbladder.

Cholesterol crystallization can occur if the liver excretes more of the substance than the bile can process. These crystals can build up and cause gallstones to develop.

The breakdown of red blood cells results in the production of bilirubin in the human body, where the overproduction of bilirubin in the liver may contribute to the development of gallstones.

Symptoms of gallstones

Gallstones can exist in the body without the sufferer ever knowing it. Yet, a blockage can be caused by gallstones when they find a home in a duct. This can result in several symptoms, such as:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Pain in the upper right part of the stomach and middle of the stomach that comes on suddenly
• Pain between shoulders
• Discomfort in the right shoulder

• Light-colored stools

Gallstone treatment

Gallstones are normally dissolvable through oral medicine. However, if they continue to occur or if the discomfort or symptoms are severe, the gastroenterologist may suggest removing the gallbladder entirely. This is the case when the condition meets all three criteria. Majorly this is done with two procedures. They are,

• Laparoscopic cholecystectomy
• Open cholecystectomy

Recurrence and Prevention

The doctor may recommend gallbladder removal after a few gallstones due to the increased chance of recurrence and it is not a problem to remove the gallbladder because it is possible to survive without it. 

Gallstone prevention mainly depends on diet. Keeping a healthy, balanced lifestyle is the most effective means of preventing gallstones.

Managing these conditions requires a precise diagnosis and personalized treatment plan. If you think that you have gallstones or kidney stones, or if you are looking for more information about these conditions, it is advisable to consult with a qualified professional. They can help you understand, prevent, and manage these health issues.