Sappikiviä

Sappikiviä, also known as gallstones, are hardened deposits that form in the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small organ located beneath the liver, responsible for storing and releasing bile, a fluid that aids in digestion. Sappikiviä can vary in size, from as small as a grain of sand to as large as a golf ball, and can be composed of cholesterol, bile pigments, or a mixture of both.

The exact cause of sappikiviä formation is not fully understood, but certain factors are known to increase the risk. These include obesity, rapid weight loss, a diet high in fat and cholesterol, and certain medical conditions such as diabetes and liver disease. Genetics also plays a role, with a family history of gallstones increasing an individual's susceptibility.

Many people with sappikiviä experience no symptoms. However, when gallstones block the bile ducts, they can cause sudden, severe pain in the upper right abdomen, often radiating to the back or shoulder. This pain, known as a gallbladder attack, can also be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and fever.

Diagnosis of sappikiviä is typically made through imaging tests such as an ultrasound. Treatment options depend on the severity of symptoms and the presence of complications. Asymptomatic gallstones may not require treatment, while symptomatic gallstones may be managed with medication to dissolve them or surgically removed through a procedure called cholecystectomy.