Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of GallstonesSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types of Gallstones
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Gallstones(also calledcholelithiasis) form when there is an imbalance in the composition of bile in the gallbladder. Gallstones are quite common, affecting around 25 million people in the United States.
Gallstones are hard, pebble-like pieces of material usually made of crystallized cholesterol orbilirubinthat form in your gallbladder.They can be the size of a golf ball or tiny grains of sand, occurring alone or with a group of stones that can lead to agallbladder attack.
This article presents an overview of gallstones and their causes. It explains how gallstone pain and other symptoms are diagnosed and treated, including lifestyle changes to improve diet and exercise.
There are two types of gallstones:
Symptoms of Gallbladder Disease
Gastrointestinal Symptoms to Never Ignore
Gallstone Symptoms
Symptoms are not always present, so anyone can have gallstones and not know it. In fact, most people with gallstonesdon’thavesymptoms.
However, when gallstones travel into and block the ducts of your biliary tract, they may cause:
The pain that occurs with this blockage is often referred to as biliary colic or a gallbladder attack.
Can Gallstones Go Away?Gallstones that are very small do not always require treatment and may break down naturally and go away on their own. However, larger ones that cause pain can block gallbladder ducts. If this happens, bile can back up in the gallbladder and cause it to rupture. This can lead to a life-threatening infection.
Can Gallstones Go Away?
Gallstones that are very small do not always require treatment and may break down naturally and go away on their own. However, larger ones that cause pain can block gallbladder ducts. If this happens, bile can back up in the gallbladder and cause it to rupture. This can lead to a life-threatening infection.
Signs and Symptoms of Gallstones
What Causes Gallstones?
The biliary tract is the pathway between your liver andpancreasto the first part of the small intestine. The gallbladder, part of that tract, is a small, pear-shaped organ that sits under your liver on the upper right side of your body between your chest and your hips.
Bile helps your body digest fats andfat-soluble vitamins. After eating fats, your gallbladder contracts, pushing the stored bile into the common bile duct, which brings the liquid to your small intestine to aid digestion.
The bile stored in the gallbladder contains water, bile salts, cholesterol, fats, proteins, andbilirubin. Bile salts break up the fat that is consumed in the food we eat. The bilirubin gives the bile a yellowish-green color and our stools their brown color.
Gallstones can form in the gallbladder when bile hardens into a stone-like material, which can happen if there are too much bile salts, cholesterol, or bilirubin in it.
There are a variety of reasons why gallstones may form. These factors have been associated with gallstones:
Gallstones and Risk FactorsThe possibility of developing gallstones increases with age. In addition, females are more likely to have gallstones than males are due to hormonal factors. Obesity, diet, and lifestyle all may play a role in whether you develop gallstones or not. Chronic illnesses (including diabetes) and the medications you take also may play a role.
Gallstones and Risk Factors
The possibility of developing gallstones increases with age. In addition, females are more likely to have gallstones than males are due to hormonal factors. Obesity, diet, and lifestyle all may play a role in whether you develop gallstones or not. Chronic illnesses (including diabetes) and the medications you take also may play a role.
Causes and Risk Factors of Gallbladder Disease
Complications of Gallstones
Although uncommon, the gallbladder can get infected (cholecystitis) when gallstones block the bile duct and bile gets trapped in the gallbladder. A bacterial infection can occur, causing symptoms such as:
Cholelithiasis is the medical term for gallstones. Cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder, which can be caused be gallstones.
Bristol Stool Chart: Poop Types and What They Mean
How Are Gallstones Diagnosed?
There are a number of tests that your healthcare provider may perform to diagnose gallstones. Blood tests may be done to check for infection or inflammation, but not for gallstones themselves.
Imaging tests are used to diagnose gallstones withultrasoundbeing the first test usually done. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized tomography (CT) scans may also be performed.
When To See a Healthcare ProviderSeek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms of a gallbladder attack:Abdominal pain that lasts several hoursFever or chillsJaundice—a yellow tone to your skin and whites of the eyesNausea or vomitingTea-colored urine and light-colored stools
When To See a Healthcare Provider
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms of a gallbladder attack:Abdominal pain that lasts several hoursFever or chillsJaundice—a yellow tone to your skin and whites of the eyesNausea or vomitingTea-colored urine and light-colored stools
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms of a gallbladder attack:
How Gallbladder Disease Is Diagnosed
How to Get Rid of Gallstones
Treatment for gallstones is only suggested if you have symptoms. If you are having gallbladder attack or other symptoms, contact your healthcare provider because even if symptoms go away, they may come back and need treatment.
Sometimes nonsurgical treatment can be used but the most common treatment for gallstones issurgery to remove the gallbladder.
How to Get Rid of Gallstones Without Surgery
Surgery
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy.This surgery is minimally invasive because a small incision is made and an instrument called a laparoscope can remove the gallbladder. The surgery is usually done in an outpatient setting and you’re able to go home the same day. Recovery is usually about a week.
Open cholecystectomy.If your gallbladder is very inflamed, infected, or scarred, then a large incision in the abdomen is needed to remove the gallbladder. The surgery is done in an operating room and you may need to stay in the hospital for up to a week. Recovery to normal physical activity usually takes about a month.
Once your gallbladder is removed, bile flows directly into theduodenum(the first part of the small intestine), instead of being stored in the gallbladder.
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Nonsurgical Treatments
In some cases, nonsurgical approaches may be used, but they are only considered when surgery is not possible and can only be used to remove or break up cholesterol gallstones (not pigment stones).
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP).TheERCP procedurecombines upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy and x-rays to remove a gallstone that is stuck in the common bile duct.
Oral dissolution therapy.Some medications that contain bile acids are used to break up gallstones but not everyone is a candidate.Actigall (ursodiol) and Chenix (chenodiol) are two medicines used and work best to break up small cholesterol stones.It may take months or years of treatment to break up all the stones.
Shock wave lithotripsy.This shock wave therapy blasts gallstones into tiny pieces of stones that pass out of your body in your urine. This procedure isn’t commonly used and is only appropriate for treating cholesterol stones.
Gallstone (Cholelithiasis) Symptoms and Causes
Gallstone Prevention and Lifestyle
Your diet should include foods that are high in fiber, such as:
Foods to avoid with gallstones include refined carbohydrates, sugar, and unhealthy fats, such as fried foods, processed meats, butter, pastries, and sweets. Instead, include healthy monounsaturated fats, like nuts, seeds, avocado, fatty fish, and olive oil.
Gallstones and Lifestyle FactorsSome studies suggest that caffeine offers a protective effect against gallstones, but more research is needed to better understand the effects of diet, smoking, and other factors.
Gallstones and Lifestyle Factors
Some studies suggest that caffeine offers a protective effect against gallstones, but more research is needed to better understand the effects of diet, smoking, and other factors.
Summary
Gallstones are hard, pebble-like pieces of material that can form in the gallbladder. The stones can range in size from tiny to golf-ball size. The blocking of the bile duct can lead to pain, digestive symptoms like nausea and vomiting, and other problems like jaundice.
Treatment for gallstones depends on the symptoms and severity. Gallstones will sometimes break up on their own, or you can be treated with medication. Keep in mind, though, that gallbladder surgery is one of the most common surgeries for adults. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about any concerns or questions you have.
15 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Definition and facts for gallstones.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Gallstones.NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Symptoms and causes of gallstones.Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Gallstones.Goktas SB, Manukyan M, Selimen D.Evaluation of Factors Affecting the Type of Gallstone. Indian J Surg. 2016;78(1):20-6. doi:10.1007/s12262-015-1313-9Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gallstones.Baiu I, Hawn MT.Gallstones and Biliary Colic. JAMA. 2018;320(15):1612. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.11868NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Treatment for gallstones.Alyahyawi KO, Jareebi MA, Iskander OA, Othman JA, Alagsam AA, Borik WS,et al.Exploration of the Causal Association Between Behavioral Risk Factors and Gallstone Disease Development in Two European Ancestry Populations.Cureus. 2023 Apr 4;15(4):e37110. doi:10.7759/cureus.37110.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Cholecystitis.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).Chung KH.Approach to the Diagnosis and Management of Gallstones.Korean J Gastroenterol. 2023 May 25;81(5):203-208. Korean. doi:10.4166/kjg.2023.044.McCabe ME 4th, Dilly CK.New causes for the old problem of bile reflux gastritis.Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2018;16:1389-1392. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2018.02.034.NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, and nutrition for gallstones.Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.Types of Fat.Additional ReadingLee JY, Keane MG, Pereira S.Diagnosis and Treatment of Gallstone Disease.Practitioner. June 2015;259(1783):15-9, 2.Mayo Clinic Staff.Gallstones. Mayo Clinic. Updated November 17, 2017.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Gallstones. National Institutes of Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Updated November 2017.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Definition and facts for gallstones.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Gallstones.NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Symptoms and causes of gallstones.Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Gallstones.Goktas SB, Manukyan M, Selimen D.Evaluation of Factors Affecting the Type of Gallstone. Indian J Surg. 2016;78(1):20-6. doi:10.1007/s12262-015-1313-9Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gallstones.Baiu I, Hawn MT.Gallstones and Biliary Colic. JAMA. 2018;320(15):1612. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.11868NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Treatment for gallstones.Alyahyawi KO, Jareebi MA, Iskander OA, Othman JA, Alagsam AA, Borik WS,et al.Exploration of the Causal Association Between Behavioral Risk Factors and Gallstone Disease Development in Two European Ancestry Populations.Cureus. 2023 Apr 4;15(4):e37110. doi:10.7759/cureus.37110.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Cholecystitis.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).Chung KH.Approach to the Diagnosis and Management of Gallstones.Korean J Gastroenterol. 2023 May 25;81(5):203-208. Korean. doi:10.4166/kjg.2023.044.McCabe ME 4th, Dilly CK.New causes for the old problem of bile reflux gastritis.Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2018;16:1389-1392. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2018.02.034.NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, and nutrition for gallstones.Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.Types of Fat.Additional ReadingLee JY, Keane MG, Pereira S.Diagnosis and Treatment of Gallstone Disease.Practitioner. June 2015;259(1783):15-9, 2.Mayo Clinic Staff.Gallstones. Mayo Clinic. Updated November 17, 2017.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Gallstones. National Institutes of Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Updated November 2017.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Definition and facts for gallstones.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Gallstones.NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Symptoms and causes of gallstones.Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Gallstones.Goktas SB, Manukyan M, Selimen D.Evaluation of Factors Affecting the Type of Gallstone. Indian J Surg. 2016;78(1):20-6. doi:10.1007/s12262-015-1313-9Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gallstones.Baiu I, Hawn MT.Gallstones and Biliary Colic. JAMA. 2018;320(15):1612. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.11868NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Treatment for gallstones.Alyahyawi KO, Jareebi MA, Iskander OA, Othman JA, Alagsam AA, Borik WS,et al.Exploration of the Causal Association Between Behavioral Risk Factors and Gallstone Disease Development in Two European Ancestry Populations.Cureus. 2023 Apr 4;15(4):e37110. doi:10.7759/cureus.37110.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Cholecystitis.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).Chung KH.Approach to the Diagnosis and Management of Gallstones.Korean J Gastroenterol. 2023 May 25;81(5):203-208. Korean. doi:10.4166/kjg.2023.044.McCabe ME 4th, Dilly CK.New causes for the old problem of bile reflux gastritis.Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2018;16:1389-1392. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2018.02.034.NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, and nutrition for gallstones.Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.Types of Fat.
NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Definition and facts for gallstones.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Gallstones.
NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Symptoms and causes of gallstones.
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Gallstones.
Goktas SB, Manukyan M, Selimen D.Evaluation of Factors Affecting the Type of Gallstone. Indian J Surg. 2016;78(1):20-6. doi:10.1007/s12262-015-1313-9
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gallstones.
Baiu I, Hawn MT.Gallstones and Biliary Colic. JAMA. 2018;320(15):1612. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.11868
NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Treatment for gallstones.
Alyahyawi KO, Jareebi MA, Iskander OA, Othman JA, Alagsam AA, Borik WS,et al.Exploration of the Causal Association Between Behavioral Risk Factors and Gallstone Disease Development in Two European Ancestry Populations.Cureus. 2023 Apr 4;15(4):e37110. doi:10.7759/cureus.37110.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Cholecystitis.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).
Chung KH.Approach to the Diagnosis and Management of Gallstones.Korean J Gastroenterol. 2023 May 25;81(5):203-208. Korean. doi:10.4166/kjg.2023.044.
McCabe ME 4th, Dilly CK.New causes for the old problem of bile reflux gastritis.Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2018;16:1389-1392. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2018.02.034.
NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, and nutrition for gallstones.
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.Types of Fat.
Lee JY, Keane MG, Pereira S.Diagnosis and Treatment of Gallstone Disease.Practitioner. June 2015;259(1783):15-9, 2.Mayo Clinic Staff.Gallstones. Mayo Clinic. Updated November 17, 2017.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Gallstones. National Institutes of Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Updated November 2017.
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