A kidney stone can pass much easier than a
gallstone. That is due to the different
anatomy and function of the gallbladder
and kidneys. Both conditions are very
painful.
Pain in gallstones (billiary colic) is due
to the spastic peristaltic of the bile
ducts (ductus cysticus or ductus
choledocus). Billiary colic starts from
under right ribcage and radiates to the
back side of the body. It is often
accompanied by vomiting. If the gallstone
gets stuck in the ductus choledocus, bile
can't be drained into the intestines so
stools become white (aholia) and skin
becomes yellow (obstructive jaundice).
Gallstones are usually accompanied by
inflammation that can cause life
threatening complications like gallbladder
perforation.
During the passing of kidney stones, pain
(renal colic) starts from the lower back
side (left or right) and radiates to the
front and down to the inguinal region and
genitals. Renal colic is often accompanied
with false urges for peeing, painful
urination and sometimes even bloody urine.
If the stone is not very big it can be
expelled by the ureter’s peristaltic
movements. This peristalsis in fact causes
the pain. Drinking a lot of liquids can
help expel a kidney stone. If the stone is
big, however, it can get stuck in the
ureter. In time that ureter will increase
its lumen (hydroureter) due to the
pressure that urine makes. Pressure will
be transferred on the kidney itself and
will cause atrophy of the kidney’s
parenchyma (hydronephrosis) and its
failure.
Both conditions - possible kidney or
gallbladder stones - can be diagnosed via
abdominal ultrasound.
Gallstones are usually treated surgically
by gallbladder laparoscopic removal.
Kidney stones can be expelled
spontaneously by drinking lot of liquids.
If they are not expelled spontaneously
they can be broken by ultrasound. The
final option for treating gall stones or
kidney stones is surgical removal of the
stone(s).
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