Gallstones are hard deposits in your gallbladder, a small organ that stores bile, a digestive fluid made in the liver. Gallstones may consist of cholesterol, salt, or bilirubin, which are discarded red blood cells. Stones can range in size, from tiny sand grains to large ones the size of golf balls.

What Causes Gallstones?

Gallstones may develop when there is too much cholesterol in the bile secreted by your liver. Bile usually dissolves or breaks down cholesterol. But if your liver makes more cholesterol than your bile can dissolve, hard stones may develop. Other causes include the following:

Bilirubin

Bilirubin is a chemical produced when your liver destroys old red blood cells. Some conditions such as cirrhosis of the liver and certain blood disorders cause your liver to produce more bilirubin than it should. Stones form when your gallbladder cannot break down the excess bilirubin. These hard substances are also called pigmented stones.

Concentrated Bile

Your gallbladder needs to empty bile in order to be healthy and function properly. If it fails to empty its bile content, the bile becomes overly concentrated, which causes stones to form.

What Are the Symptoms of Gallstones?

You may not experience any symptoms if you have gallstones. Your doctor may find stones in your gallbladder while doing X-rays or surgery in the abdomen. When symptoms are present, you may experience:

- pain that radiates in your upper abdomen (normally on the right side or in the middle)
- fever
- a yellowish tint in your skin or eyes (jaundice)
- nausea or vomiting
- clay-colored stools

How Are Gallstones Treated?

Your doctor may use any of several treatment options to remove stones or improve your condition.

- Surgeries

- Medications