Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWill They Pass?How They DissolvePreventionSurgery
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Will They Pass?
How They Dissolve
Prevention
Surgery
Gallstones are solid lumps that form in the gallbladder when stored bile crystallizes.They are pebble-like and can be the size of a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball.
Most of the time,gallstonesdo not cause symptoms, and you don’t necessarily need treatment. In some cases, they even pass out of the body naturally.
Problems arise when gallstones block ducts from the gallbladder, liver, or pancreas. When that happens, you do need treatment. Surgical removal of thegallbladderis safe and effective. And certain lifestyle modifications may help lower the chances of developing more gallstones.
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Can You Pass Gallstones?
It’s possible to pass gallstones naturally. They can move through the gallbladder into thebile duct, after which they’re called bile duct stones.They may continue through the duct to the intestines and out of the body with stool, though you might not notice them in the toilet.
However, stones in the bile duct often get stuck, which can lead to serious problems, such as inflammation of the following:
Even if you pass a stone, there may be more in the gallbladder.
You may have heard that certain home treatments or diets cancleanse or flush gallstonesout of your system. Examples are olive oil, lemon juice, herbs, Epsom salts, and a low-fat diet. But there’s no scientific evidence that these methods work; some may be harmful.
There’s no proven way to make yourself pass gallstones, though there are methods to help prevent more from forming. Be sure to discuss gallstone cleanses and flushes with a healthcare provider.
A Word From VerywellOver 25% of Americans have gallstones that do not cause clinical symptoms. Gallbladder removal—one of the most common general surgery procedures in the United States—is performed when necessary.—DAVID HAMPTON, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
Over 25% of Americans have gallstones that do not cause clinical symptoms. Gallbladder removal—one of the most common general surgery procedures in the United States—is performed when necessary.—DAVID HAMPTON, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Over 25% of Americans have gallstones that do not cause clinical symptoms. Gallbladder removal—one of the most common general surgery procedures in the United States—is performed when necessary.
—DAVID HAMPTON, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
How Do They Dissolve?
Although people sometimes pass gallstones, they don’t dissolve on their own. Altering your diet may help lower the chances of developing more gallstones. But there’s no diet known to dissolve existing gallstones.
The two main types of gallstones are:
One medical option for cholesterol stones is oral dissolution therapy.This involves medicines that containbileacids that can break up small stones. These include:
These medications don’t work on pigment stones. You must take them several times a day; it can take months to start working. You may need to stay on this therapy for as long as two years.Even then, gallstones can recur.
How to Prevent Further Buildup
Risk FactorsGallstones are more common in people assigned female at birth than those assigned male, and they increase with age.Other risk factors for developing gallstones are:Cirrhosis of the liver(liver scarring)Crohn’s diseaseand other conditions that affect how you absorb nutrientsDiabetes(a rise in blood sugar or glucose)Diet high in calories and refined carbs and low in fiberHigh triglyceride levels(a type of fat in the blood)Infections in the bile ducts(which can also be due to gallstones)Insulin resistance(cells do not respond normally to insulin, causing blood sugar levels to rise)Low high-density lipoprotein HDL cholesterol(“good cholesterol)Metabolic syndrome(symptoms that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes)Obesity, especially in womenRapid weight lossSickle cell anemiaandhemolytic anemias(blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be reproduced)
Risk Factors
Gallstones are more common in people assigned female at birth than those assigned male, and they increase with age.Other risk factors for developing gallstones are:Cirrhosis of the liver(liver scarring)Crohn’s diseaseand other conditions that affect how you absorb nutrientsDiabetes(a rise in blood sugar or glucose)Diet high in calories and refined carbs and low in fiberHigh triglyceride levels(a type of fat in the blood)Infections in the bile ducts(which can also be due to gallstones)Insulin resistance(cells do not respond normally to insulin, causing blood sugar levels to rise)Low high-density lipoprotein HDL cholesterol(“good cholesterol)Metabolic syndrome(symptoms that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes)Obesity, especially in womenRapid weight lossSickle cell anemiaandhemolytic anemias(blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be reproduced)
Gallstones are more common in people assigned female at birth than those assigned male, and they increase with age.Other risk factors for developing gallstones are:
Surgery and Other Ways to Remove Gallstones
You needtreatmentonly if gallstones are causingsymptoms. About 25% of people diagnosed with gallstones each year will need treatment.There are several approaches to treating cholesterol stones, but pigment stones almost always require surgery.
If you have recurring gallbladder attacks or complications, surgery to remove the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) is the most effective treatment.The liver also produces bile, so you don’t need a gallbladder to live.
The surgeon can remove the gallbladderlaparoscopicallyin an outpatient procedure. But if the gallbladder is severely inflamed or infected, you may need open surgery, which involves a hospital stay and a more extended recovery period.
Additional Procedures
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP) is a potential alternative to gallbladder removal. It’s a combination of upper gastrointestinalendoscopyand X-rays that can break up or remove cholesterol gallstones in the bile duct.Sometimes, the surgeon may insert astentfrom the gallbladder to the first part of the intestine (duodenum).
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy(ESWL) uses high-energy sound waves to produce shock waves that disintegrate gallstones. This procedure is not used often and is generally reserved for those with a single stone less than 2 centimeters in diameter.
Discuss the potential benefits and risks of each procedure with your healthcare provider.
Summary
Gallstones are pretty common. But they don’t always lead to symptoms, and they don’t always require treatment. Though a gallstone can pass through your body on its own, there are no proven methods to make that happen. And there are no cleanses or diets proven to dissolve gallstones.
Large stones or stones that lodge in bile ducts can lead to serious problems. Medical treatments include surgery and medicines to break up small stones. Your options depend on the type, size, and number of stones.
Dietary changes, regular exercise, and weight management are some of the ways to lower the chances of developing gallstones.
13 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.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Gallstones.University of Michigan Health.Bile duct stones.Harvard Health Publishing.What to do about gallstones.Philips CA, Paramaguru R, Mahadevan P, Augustine P.Severe liver injury due to Epsom salt naturopathy.BMJ Case Rep. 2017;2017:bcr2017221718. doi:10.1136/bcr-2017-221718Lee JS, Seo HS, Hong TH.YouTube as a source of patient information on gallstone disease.World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(14):4066-4070. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i14.4066Harvard Health Publishing.Did my diet cause my gallstones?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gallstones.National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for gallstones.MedlinePlus.Ursodiol.Wang X, Yu W, Jiang G, et al.Global epidemiology of gallstones in the 21st century: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2024;22(8):1586-1595. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2024.01.051National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition and facts for gallstones.Dumonceau JM, Delhaye M, Tringali A, et al.Endoscopic treatment of chronic pancreatitis: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) guideline - updated August 2018.Endoscopy. 2019;51:179-193. doi:10.1055/a-0822-0832Mount Sinai.Gallstones and gallbladder disease.Additional ReadingJohns Hopkins Medicine.Gallstone disease treatment.Mayo Clinic.Gallbladder cleanse: A ‘natural’ remedy for gallstones?
13 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.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Gallstones.University of Michigan Health.Bile duct stones.Harvard Health Publishing.What to do about gallstones.Philips CA, Paramaguru R, Mahadevan P, Augustine P.Severe liver injury due to Epsom salt naturopathy.BMJ Case Rep. 2017;2017:bcr2017221718. doi:10.1136/bcr-2017-221718Lee JS, Seo HS, Hong TH.YouTube as a source of patient information on gallstone disease.World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(14):4066-4070. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i14.4066Harvard Health Publishing.Did my diet cause my gallstones?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gallstones.National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for gallstones.MedlinePlus.Ursodiol.Wang X, Yu W, Jiang G, et al.Global epidemiology of gallstones in the 21st century: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2024;22(8):1586-1595. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2024.01.051National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition and facts for gallstones.Dumonceau JM, Delhaye M, Tringali A, et al.Endoscopic treatment of chronic pancreatitis: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) guideline - updated August 2018.Endoscopy. 2019;51:179-193. doi:10.1055/a-0822-0832Mount Sinai.Gallstones and gallbladder disease.Additional ReadingJohns Hopkins Medicine.Gallstone disease treatment.Mayo Clinic.Gallbladder cleanse: A ‘natural’ remedy for gallstones?
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.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Gallstones.University of Michigan Health.Bile duct stones.Harvard Health Publishing.What to do about gallstones.Philips CA, Paramaguru R, Mahadevan P, Augustine P.Severe liver injury due to Epsom salt naturopathy.BMJ Case Rep. 2017;2017:bcr2017221718. doi:10.1136/bcr-2017-221718Lee JS, Seo HS, Hong TH.YouTube as a source of patient information on gallstone disease.World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(14):4066-4070. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i14.4066Harvard Health Publishing.Did my diet cause my gallstones?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gallstones.National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for gallstones.MedlinePlus.Ursodiol.Wang X, Yu W, Jiang G, et al.Global epidemiology of gallstones in the 21st century: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2024;22(8):1586-1595. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2024.01.051National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition and facts for gallstones.Dumonceau JM, Delhaye M, Tringali A, et al.Endoscopic treatment of chronic pancreatitis: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) guideline - updated August 2018.Endoscopy. 2019;51:179-193. doi:10.1055/a-0822-0832Mount Sinai.Gallstones and gallbladder disease.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Gallstones.
University of Michigan Health.Bile duct stones.
Harvard Health Publishing.What to do about gallstones.
Philips CA, Paramaguru R, Mahadevan P, Augustine P.Severe liver injury due to Epsom salt naturopathy.BMJ Case Rep. 2017;2017:bcr2017221718. doi:10.1136/bcr-2017-221718
Lee JS, Seo HS, Hong TH.YouTube as a source of patient information on gallstone disease.World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(14):4066-4070. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i14.4066
Harvard Health Publishing.Did my diet cause my gallstones?
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gallstones.
National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for gallstones.
MedlinePlus.Ursodiol.
Wang X, Yu W, Jiang G, et al.Global epidemiology of gallstones in the 21st century: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2024;22(8):1586-1595. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2024.01.051
National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition and facts for gallstones.
Dumonceau JM, Delhaye M, Tringali A, et al.Endoscopic treatment of chronic pancreatitis: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) guideline - updated August 2018.Endoscopy. 2019;51:179-193. doi:10.1055/a-0822-0832
Mount Sinai.Gallstones and gallbladder disease.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gallstone disease treatment.Mayo Clinic.Gallbladder cleanse: A ‘natural’ remedy for gallstones?
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gallstone disease treatment.
Mayo Clinic.Gallbladder cleanse: A ‘natural’ remedy for gallstones?
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