Gallstones Vs Kidney Stones: Understanding the Difference

The kidneys are essential organs that remove wastes from your body and maintain a healthy balance of minerals, salts, and water in your system. On the other hand, the gallbladder is an organ that stores bile and works as a part of your digestive system.  

The proper functioning of these organs ensures that you are healthy. However, improper functioning may lead to several health consequences, like the formation of stones in the kidneys and gallbladder.  

This blog compares gallstones vs kidney stones and explores their causes, risks, symptoms, treatment and prevention.  

What is a Kidney Stone?  

In medical terms, a kidney stone called renal calculus or nephrolithiasis is a solid deposit that forms inside your kidneys. This deposit is made up of minerals and salts present in urine. Kidney stones affect your urinary tract, including your kidneys and bladder and tend to be quite painful.  

Types of Kidney Stone 

 Based on the composition of the kidney stones, they can be classified into four types-  

1. Calcium stones 
2. Struvite stones 
3. Uric Acid stones 
4. Cystine stone

What is a Gallstone?  

Gallstones are solidified digestive liquid stones that form inside your gallbladder. Gallstones may cause blockages in the gallbladder’s bile ducts, causing bile build-ups and severe health complications. Gallstones may be as tiny as a grain of rice or as big as a golf ball.  

 Causes of Kidney Stone  

Kidney stones can be caused by several factors, which vary depending on what type of stone is formed. Some common causes of kidney stones include: 

1. Inadequate hydration – This leads to low urine volume and is the most common cause of kidney stones. 
2. Anatomic Features – Certain anatomic anomalies such as urinary stasis, urinary tract infections, systemic acidosis and genetic factors may cause kidney stones. 
3. Diet – A high intake of foods rich in oxalate and sodium leads to kidney stones. Similarly, a high intake of purine foods with a pH of less than 5, such as fish, meat and legumes, can cause uric acid stones. 
4. Medications – Medications such as Atazanavir, Indinavir, Triamterene and more may cause kidney stones as a side effect. 
5. Other conditions, such as hyperparathyroidism, hyperoxaluria, and intrinsic metabolic defects, may also lead to kidney stones. 

Causes of Gallstone  

While there is no definitive cause that has been identified for gallstones, some reasons why gallstones are formed may include  

1. Imbalanced chemical composition of bile – When your bile has excessive bilirubin, it can lead to gallstone formation. 
2. Excessive cholesterol – If cholesterol levels in your body become too high, excess cholesterol leads to stone formation. 
3. Abnormal gallbladder function – Gallstones may be formed if your gallbladder isn’t emptying itself as often as required or not emptying entirely. 

 Symptoms of Kidney Stone  

 Common symptoms of kidney stones include:

• Acute and several flank pain  
• Radiating pain in the abdominal and groin area  
• Colicky pain  
• Nausea and vomiting  
• Burning sensation while urinating  
• Pink, red or brown urine 
• Fever and chills  

 Symptoms of Gallstone  

In many cases, gallstones do not cause any symptoms or harm, which means they do not need treatment. Such stones are called silent gallstones. However, in severe cases, some symptoms you may experience are:  

• Long-lasting abdominal pain  
• Nausea and vomiting  
• Jaundice  
• Dark urine and coloured stool  
• Fever and chills  

 Diagnosing Kidney Stones  

 Doctors may use several tests to determine if you have kidney stones. Some of those tests include: 

• Urine analysis  
• Ultrasounds  
• Abdominal or Pelvic CT scan  

 Diagnosing Gallstones  

 The procedures commonly used to diagnose gallstones include: 

• Abdominal ultrasounds  
• Endoscopic ultrasounds  
• Blood profile tests 

If you experience any symptoms of kidney stones or gallstones, it is crucial to consult a doctor and seek a definitive diagnosis. While there are many differences between gallstones and kidney stones, getting an early diagnosis and seeking immediate treatment is common for both.  

 Risk Factors for Kidney Stone  

You are considered to be at high risk for kidney stones if you: 

• Have diabetes, hyperparathyroidism, gout, gastrointestinal disease, renal tubular acidosis or sarcoidosis
• Are obese  
• Have chronic diarrhoea and malabsorption  
• Have bone diseases  
• Have undergone a GI bypass surgery 
• Had prior kidney stones 

 Risk Factors for Gallstone  

 You are considered to be at high risk for gallstones if you: 

• Are over 40 years  
• Are a woman  
• Are obese or overweight and have a sedentary lifestyle 
• Have a high fat, high cholesterol and low fibre diet  
• Have diabetes, liver disease or blood-related diseases  
• Take medications containing oestrogen. 

 Kidney Stone Treatment  

 Doctors most commonly use four types of kidney stone treatment. They include:  

1. Medication and hydration – includes drinking large amounts of water and taking prescribed medications to pass the stone. Kidney stones can take one to four weeks to pass using this treatment method. 
2. Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (ESWL) – uses shockwaves to break up a larger stone in the urinary tract and facilitate passing. 
3. Ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy– uses an endoscope to remove lower ureter stones
4. Nephrolithomy– creates a surgical passage to remove stones. 

Gallstone Treatment  

Doctors use two methods to treat gallstones: 

1. Medications – Used for smaller-sized gallstones where medications to dissolve the gallstone are prescribed. 
2. Surgical removal – If you experience frequently recurring gallstones, your gallbladder can be surgically removed to prevent health complications 

 Prevention: Kidney Stone and Gallstone  

Although there are many differences between gallstones and kidney stones, they share common prevention methods. Adopting a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet is the easiest way to prevent kidney stones and gallstones. Staying hydrated is also extremely important.  

If you are at high risk for either of the conditions, schedule frequent health check-ups to catch early signs and get the necessary medical intervention to reduce your risk.  

 Conclusion

 Gallstones vs Kidney Stones  

Let’s summarise the key differences between gallstones and kidney stones in this comprehensive chart.   

Criteria	Kidney Stone	Gallstone
Causes	Dehydration and improper diet   Anatomical anomalies   Medications   Other conditions	Excess bilirubin   Excess cholesterol   Improper gallbladder function
Symptoms	Flank and abdominal pain  Nausea and vomiting  Abnormal urination  Fever	Abdominal pain  Nausea and vomiting  Jaundice  Fever
Treatment	Medication and hydration   ESWL   Ureteroscopy   Nephrolithotomy	Medication to pass stone   Surgical gallbladder removal

Remember to visit a doctor upon experiencing any symptoms of kidney stone or gallstone to get a professional diagnosis and treatment plan.