Gallstones are more common in women than in men. They are also more common in overweight people and people with a family history of gallstones.
There is no single cause of gallstones. In some people, the liver produces too much cholesterol. This can result in the formation of cholesterol crystals in bile that grow into stones. In other people, gallstones form because of changes in other components of bile or because the gallbladder does not empty normally.
The gallbladder lies under the liver on the right side of the upper tummy (abdomen). It is like a pouch that comes off the main bile duct and fills with bile. It is a 'reservoir' which stores bile. The gallbladder squeezes (contracts) when we eat. This empties the stored bile back into the main bile duct. The bile passes along the remainder of the bile duct into the first part of the gut, known as the duodenum.
Signs and symptoms
In approximately 70 percent of cases, gallstones cause no symptoms. The symptoms of gallstones may include:
- pain in the abdomen and back. Pain is generally infrequent, but severe
- increase in abdominal pain after eating a fatty meal
- jaundice
- fever and pain, if the gallbladder or bile duct becomes infected
When to see a doctor?
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms that worry you.
Seek immediate care if you develop signs and symptoms of a serious gallstone complication, such as:
- Abdominal pain so intense that you can't sit still or find a comfortable position
- Yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
- High fever with chills
https://patient.info/digestive-health/gallstones-and-bile
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gallstones/symptoms-causes/syc-20354214