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.

Types
The two main kinds are:

Cholesterol stones. These are usually yellow-green in color. They're the most
common kind, accounting for 80% of gallstones.

Pigment stones. These stones are smaller and darker. They're made up of bilirubin,
which comes from bile, a fluid your liver makes and your gallbladder stores.

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.

Am I at Risk?
You're more likely to get gallstones if:
You're obese. This is one of the biggest risk factors. Obesity can raise your cholesterol level
and also make it harder for the gallbladder to empty completely.
You take birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy for menopause symptoms, or
are pregnant. The extra estrogen is the problem. It can increase cholesterol and make it
harder for the gallbladder to empty.
You have diabetes. People with this condition tend to have higher levels of triglycerides (a
type of blood fat), which is a risk factor for gallstones.
You take medicine to lower your cholesterol. Some of these drugs boost the amount of
cholesterol in bile, which may increase your chances of getting cholesterol stones.
You lost weight too quickly. Your liver makes extra cholesterol, which may lead to
gallstones.
Youre fasting. Your gallbladder may not squeeze as much.
Gallstones are also more likely if they run in your family, and they're likelier among women,
older people, and some ethnic groups, including Native Americans and Mexican-Americans.

Gallstones: What You Should Know

What Are the Symptoms?

You might not notice anything, or even know you have gallstones, unless your doctor tells
you. But if you do get symptoms, they usually include:

Pain in your upper belly and upper back that can last for several hours

Nausea

Vomiting

Other digestive problems, including bloating, indigestion and heartburn, and gas

How Do Doctors Diagnose Them?

If your doctor thinks you may have gallstones, he'll give you a physical exam. You may also
get:
Blood tests to check for signs of infection or obstruction, and to rule out other conditions.
Ultrasound. This quick procedure is done in your doctors office, and it makes images of the
inside of your body.
CT scan. Specialized X-rays allow your doctor to see inside your body, including your
gallbladder.
Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). This test uses a magnetic field
and pulses of radio-wave energy to make pictures of the inside of your body, including the
liver and the gallbladder.
Cholescintigraphy (HIDA scan). This test can check on whether the gallbladder squeezes
correctly. Doctors inject a harmless radioactive material, which makes its way to the organ.
The technician can then watch its movement.
Endoscopic ultrasound. This test combines ultrasound and endoscopy to look for gallstones.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The doctor inserts an
endoscope through your mouth down to the small intestine and injects a dye to allow the bile
ducts to be seen. He can often then remove any gallstones that have moved into the ducts.
Whats the Treatment?

Many people with gallstones get surgery to take out the gallbladder. There are two different
kinds of operations.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This is the more common procedure. The surgeon passes
instruments, a light, and a camera through several small cuts in the belly. He views the inside
of the body on a video monitor. Afterward, you spend the night in the hospital.
Open cholecystectomy. The surgeon makes bigger cuts in the belly to remove the
gallbladder. You stay in the hospital for a few days after the operation.
If gallstones are in your bile ducts, the doctor may use ERCP to find and remove them before
or during gallbladder surgery.
Can You Treat Gallstones Without Surgery?

If you have a medical condition and your doctor feels you shouldn't have an operation, he
may prescribe the medications chenodiol (Chenix), ursodiol (Actigall), or both. These drugs
work by dissolving cholesterol stones. Mild diarrhea can be a side effect.
The downside of using either medication is that you may have to take it for years to
completely dissolve the stones, which may come back after you stop taking the drug.

Gallstones - What Increases Your Risk

Gallstones Guide

Topic Overview

Health Tools

Cause

Symptoms

What Happens

What Increases Your Risk

When To Call a Doctor

Exams and Tests

Treatment Overview

Prevention

Home Treatment

Medications

Surgery

Other Treatment

Other Places To Get Help

Related Information

References

Credits

Your chances of forming gallstones that can cause symptoms 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:

Are overweight.

Lose weight rapidly or lose weight by dieting and then gain weight back
again.

Are pregnant.

Are taking estrogen (after menopause) or high-dose birth control pills.

Get very little or no exercise.

Do not eat for a period of time (fast)

Gallbladder Diet
Experts discuss foods that are good for your gallbladder, as well as what not to
eat when you have gallbladder problems.
WebMD Feature Archive
Healthy Foods for the Gallbladder

Whether or not you are at risk for gallstones, it's always a good idea to keep your body at a
healthy weight and eat a diet that is low in fat and cholesterol, moderate in calories, and high
in fiber.
All of the following are healthy foods for your gallbladder, as well as the rest of your body:

Fresh fruits and vegetables

Whole grains (whole-wheat bread, brown rice, oats, bran cereal)

Lean meat, poultry, and fish

Low-fat dairy products

Certain foods have been studied for their potential to prevent gallbladder problems or reduce
symptoms. For example, some research has indicated that drinking caffeinated coffee lowers
the risk of gallstones in both men and women. Drinking moderate amounts of alcohol has
also been linked to a reduced incidence of gallstones. In one study, women who ate at least
one serving of peanuts a day had a 20% lower chance of having their gallbladder removed
compared to women who rarely ate peanuts or peanut butter.

However, keep in mind the evidence is far too preliminary at this time to recommend any of
these foods solely for the purpose of preventing gallbladder problems.
Foods to Avoid With Gallbladder Problems

Researchers say many gallbladder symptoms stem from the modern Western diet, which is
high in refined carbohydrates and saturated fats. "If you're having symptoms from gallstones,
it's because as your gallbladder tries to squeeze, some of the gallstone is blocking the outflow
of bile that is stored in your gallbladder," Martin says. "You're squeezing against a closed
door, and that's why it hurts. If you eat fatty foods, that makes it squeeze more."
Changing your diet won't get rid of gallstones that are already there, but eating a healthy,
balanced variety of nutrients and limiting the amount of saturated fats and cholesterol-heavy
foods you eat may help ease your symptoms.
Try to avoid or limit these high-fat foods in your diet:

Fried foods

Highly processed foods (doughnuts, pie, cookies)

Whole-milk dairy products (cheese, ice cream, butter)

Fatty red meat

Also steer clear of very low-calorie diets. If you are overweight, aim for a gradual weight loss
of 1 to 2 pounds a week by sticking to a healthy, well-balanced diet and getting regular
exercise. Always diet under your doctor's supervision.
If you continue to have symptoms, see your doctor. You may need surgery to have your
gallbladder removed.