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Do I have gallstones or kidney stones?
The kidneys filter your blood before sending the waste away as urine. The gall bladder
stores up bile before releasing it as you eat.
I knew that much.
Kidney stones are the collection of minerals that build up because of high salt or mineral
intake and insufficient hydration. Gall bladder stones are a buildup of bile and cholesterol.
Could cholesterol lowering medication clear up gall stones?
Nope, because they're comprised of cholesterol no longer in the body. Kidney stones are more
likely if you've consumed too much calcium, especially antacids, relative to your fluid
intake.
Would drinking more water help clear them up? Or maybe beer?
No, but it would help you pass either one. Beer dehydrates you and would make kidney
stones worse.
All I know is that I have abdominal pain periodically.
Both kidney stones and gall bladder stones can cause severe pain, though kidney stones
are closer to the back, while gall bladder pain is up under the rib cage. And both can
make you have burning urination.
Is there a difference in the pain they cause?
Gallstone attacks are more likely to occur after eating, when the body tries to push
gall into the digestive tract and has trouble. It is most likely after a fatty meal.
I'd hate to think this is the attack of the Kentucky Fried Chicken. What's another symptom
I could use to diagnose it?
You'll see blood in your urine if a sharp edged kidney stone is bouncing around in your
body, cutting blood vessels as it moves, especially if you're about to pass it. But if you're
having symptoms like this, then you need to get it tested.
How are these stones diagnosed?
Doctors can diagnose both types of stones with an ultrasound or CT scan.
How are they treated?
Both kidney stones and gallstones are treatable with sonic vibrations that break up the stones.
Both can be removed via surgery.
Unless I pass it, which makes it a pain in the butt.
Actually, not quite there, but close enough to get the idea.