Gallstone Disease

Gallstones Are Calcified Deposits That Form In The Gallbladder And/Or Bile Ducts. They Can Be As Small As A Grain Of Sand Or As Large As A Golf Ball. The Most Common Symptom Of Gallstones Is Pain In The Upper Right Side Of The Abdomen, But In Some Cases, Gallstones Do Not Cause Any Symptoms. Gallstones Form When Substances In Bile Harden Into Solid Masses. Bile Is A Fluid Produced By Your Liver That Helps With The Digestion Of Fat. Cholesterol, Bile Acids, And Bilirubin Are The Main Components Of Bile. When The Levels Of Any Of These Components Become Imbalanced, The Bile Can Become Supersaturated And The Excess Can Form Stones. Risk Factors For Developing Gallstones Include Obesity, Diabetes, Pregnancy, A Family History Of Gallstones, And Certain Medications. The Most Common Treatment For Gallstones Is To Have Them Removed Surgically. During The Procedure, The Doctor Will Make An Incision In The Abdomen And Remove The Gallbladder And The Stones. Gallstones Can Lead To Life-Threatening Complications If Left Untreated.