Gallstones and kidney stones can both cause pain, block the flow of bodily fluids and require immediate medical attention. However, these stones form in different areas of your body and the symptoms you may experience can differ. Keep reading to learn the difference between the two types of stones and how to get expert treatment.
Understand the Difference Between Kidneys and the Gallbladder
Your kidneys are part of your urinary system. They filter blood, which then creates urine. A kidney stone is a solid mass made up of tiny crystals from minerals like calcium, oxalate and uric acid that can form in your kidneys.
Your gallbladder, on the other hand, is part of your digestive system. It stores bile produced by the liver, which aids in the digestion and absorption of fats. Gallstones are hard, pebble-like deposits of cholesterol or pigment that form inside the gallbladder. They can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball.
Similarly, there can be one or more stones in the kidney or gallbladder at the same time.
Know Your Risk
Hispanic or Native American women over the age of 40 with the following conditions are most likely to have gallstones:
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Rapid weight loss
Kidney stones are more prevalent in men over 40 than women — and once you’ve had one, there’s a 50% chance you’ll develop another over the next 10 years. Additionally, having a history of gallstones or kidney stones increases your risk of having both in the future.
Recognize the Symptoms
Most people with gallstones experience no symptoms, but when the gallstone begins to block the biliary tract, you may experience:
- Back pain
- Nausea
- Pain in your upper right abdomen
- Vomiting
Like gallstones, some kidney stones will also go unnoticed. But if they’re large, they can stretch and irritate the ureter, blocking urine and causing severe pain that’s often described as a sharp cramping in the back and side near the kidney. The intense pain of a kidney stone may also be accompanied by:
- Blood in your urine
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Treatments for Kidney Stones and Gallstones
Sometimes, gallstones don’t cause any pain or symptoms. But if they do, a surgery called laparoscopic cholecystectomy is usually recommended. Fortunately, the gallbladder is an organ you can live without. It is possible to eliminate the stones while preserving the gallbladder, but it’s often not recommended since the risk of producing more stones is high.
When it comes to kidney stones, smalls stones can (and usually will) pass on their own. Your doctor will most likely advise you to stay home, drink liquids and take pain medication as needed until the stone passes.
However, if the pain is too severe or a stone is blocking your urinary tract, a nonsurgical medical procedure called lithotripsy may help. During this procedure, high-energy shock waves are used to break the stone into pieces as small as grains of sand, which can then pass through your urine.
Preventing Gallstones and Kidney Stones
Diet plays a major role in the prevention of gallstones and kidney stones. Maintaining a healthy, balanced lifestyle is the best prevention. Being overweight is a risk factor, so achieving and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce your risk.
Staying hydrated is essential to help prevent kidney stones, so do your best to drink plenty of water. For gallstone prevention, avoid quick, extreme weight loss or severe calorie restriction. Healthy fiber intake can also help reduce your risk.
Whole-Person Healing Starts Here
If you're experiencing symptoms of gallstones or kidney stones, it's important to get medical attention right away. Our dedicated digestive care experts will help you find relief and get back to the life you love.
