What Are Gallstones?

They arent really stones. They're pieces of solid material

that form in the gallbladder, a small organ located under the
liver.

You might not even know you have them until they block a
bile duct, causing pain that you need to get treated right
away.

What Causes Gallstones?

There may be several reasons, including:
Your genes
Your weight
Problems with your gallbladder
Diet

Bile can be part of the problem. Your body needs bile, but if it has too much
cholesterol in it, that makes gallstones more likely.
It can also happen if your gallbladder cant empty properly.
Pigment stones are more common in people with certain medical conditions, such
as cirrhosis (a liver disease) or blood diseases such as sickle cell anemia.

How Do I Know if I Have Gallstones?

If your symptoms suggest a gallstone problem, your doctor might first examine your
skin for jaundice, and then feel your abdomen to check for tenderness. A blood test
may reveal evidence of an obstruction.

What Are the Treatments for Gallstones?

In most cases, treatment of gallstones is considered necessary only if you are
having symptoms. Of the various conventional treatments that are available,
surgical removal of the gallbladder is the most widely used. Some alternative
treatments have also been found to be effective in alleviating the symptoms of
troublesome gallstones.