What is gallstones?

Most people with gallstones have no symptoms and do not need treatment.

The most common problem caused by gallstones occurs when a gallstone blocks the cystic duct that drains the gallbladder. It often causes bouts of pain that come and go as the gallbladder contracts and expands. The bouts of pain are often severe and steady. Pain can last 15 minutes to 24 hours. Continuous pain for 1 to 6 hours is common. The pain may get worse after a meal. Symptoms usually improve within a few days.

If the pain is severe or if you have had gallbladder pain before, you may need to have your gallbladder removed.

In rare cases, gallstones can cause pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas. Gallstones back up the flow of digestive enzymes made by the pancreas. Pancreatitis may cause sudden, severe belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, and fever.

Most people who have gallstones don't have symptoms. When symptoms occur, they can include:

• Pain in the pit of your stomach or in the upper right part of your belly. It may spread to your right upper back or shoulder blade area.
• Pain that may come and go or be steady. It may get worse when you eat.
• Fever, chills, nausea, or vomiting if a gallstone is blocking a bile duct and causing an infection.
• Yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes.

Pain can last 15 minutes to 24 hours. Continuous pain for 1 to 6 hours is common. The pain may begin at night and be severe enough to wake you. Pain often starts after eating food that is high in fat. The pain usually makes it hard to get comfortable. Moving around doesn't make the pain go away.

If you don't have symptoms, you probably don't need treatment.

If you do have symptoms and your first gallstone attack causes pain, your doctor may tell you to take pain medicine and wait to see if the pain goes away. You may never have another attack. Waiting to see what happens usually won't cause problems.

If you have a second attack, you may want to have your gallbladder removed. A second attack means you're more likely to have future attacks. Many people have their gallbladders removed. And the body works fine without a gallbladder.

If you have small gallstones and can't have surgery, you may be able to try medicines that break down gallstones.

You can try to reduce your risk of forming gallstones.

• Stay at a weight that's healthy for you. If you need to lose weight, your doctor and a dietitian can help you make a plan. Losing weight too quickly can increase the risk of gallstones.
• Eat a variety of foods that give you the nutrients you need to stay healthy.
• Get 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week. For many people, walking is a good choice.

Rest until you feel better. If your doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed. Avoid foods that cause symptoms, especially fatty foods. These foods can make the gallbladder tighten and cause pain.

Surgery to remove the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) is the treatment of choice for gallstones that cause moderate to severe pain or other symptoms. Symptoms usually don't return after the gallbladder is removed. Even if you don't have symptoms, surgery may sometimes be done to help prevent problems from gallstones.

Laparoscopic surgery is the most common way to remove the gallbladder. A doctor puts a lighted viewing tool and surgical tools into your belly through several small cuts. People who have this surgery usually recover in about 1 week.

Open surgery involves one larger cut. The gallbladder is removed through this cut. It may be done if laparoscopic surgery isn't an option. Or it may be done when other problems are found during laparoscopic surgery. This type of surgery requires a longer recovery period.

Your chances of forming gallstones are higher if you:

• Are female. Females are twice as likely as males to have gallstones.
• Are older than 55.
• Are Native American or Mexican-American.
• Have a family history of gallstones.

You may also be increasing your risk for gallstones if you:

• Have obesity.
• Lose weight rapidly or lose weight by dieting.
• Are pregnant.
• Are taking estrogen.
• Do not eat for a long period of time (fasting).

Gallstones can cause many different problems, such as:

• A blockage in the common bile duct.
• Inflammation or infection of the gallbladder (acute cholecystitis). This can happen when a gallstone blocks the cystic duct.
• Inflammation or infection of the common bile duct (cholangitis). This can happen when gallstones get stuck in the common bile duct. In rare cases, this can damage the liver or spread infection.
• Pancreatitis. This is an inflammation of the pancreas.

Gallstones are stones that form in the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small sac located just under the liver. It stores bile released by the liver. Bile helps you digest fats.

Gallstones form when cholesterol and other substances found in bile make stones. They can also form if the gallbladder doesn't empty as it should.

Gallstones can also form in the common bile duct or cystic duct. These tubes carry bile from the gallbladder and the liver to the small intestine.

Sometimes a thick material called "sludge" forms instead of stones. This can cause the same problems as gallstones.

If stones or sludge block a duct, treatment is usually needed.