Why does gallbladder stones form

When gallstones are present in the bile ducts, it is called choledocholithiasis. Gallstones that obstruct bile ducts can lead to a severe or life-threatening infection of the bile ducts, pancreas, or liver. Bile ducts can also be obstructed by cancer or trauma, but this is not related to gallstones. Cholesterol stones are believed to form when bile contains too much cholesterol, too much bilirubin, not enough bile salts, or when the gallbladder does not empty as it should for some other reason.

Pigment stones tend to develop in people who have cirrhosis, biliary tract infections, and hereditary blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia. The causes of these stones are uncertain. At first, most gallstones do not cause symptoms. However, when gallstones become larger, or when they begin obstructing bile ducts, symptoms or "attacks" begin to occur. Attacks of gallstones usually occur after a fatty meal and at night. The following are the most common symptoms of gallstones.

However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:. Steady, severe pain in the upper abdomen that increases rapidly and may last from 30 minutes to several hours. Some people with gallstones do not have any symptoms. These stones are called "silent stones," because they do not interfere with the function of the gallbladder, liver, or pancreas, and do not require treatment in most cases.

The symptoms of gallstones may resemble other conditions or medical problems, such as heart attack, appendicitis, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, hiatal hernia, pancreatitis, or hepatitis. Always consult your health care provider for a diagnosis. Your liver will still produce bile to digest food, but the bile will drip continuously into the small intestine, rather than build up in the gallbladder. Very severe cases can be life threatening, particularly in people who are already in poor health.

Page last reviewed: 10 October Next review due: 10 October Information: Coronavirus advice Get advice about coronavirus and liver disease from the British Liver Trust. Video: gallstones In this video, a doctor explains what gallstones are, the symptoms and the treatment options. Media last reviewed: 1 May Media review due: 1 May If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices.

You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Your in-depth digestive health guide will be in your inbox shortly. You will also receive emails from Mayo Clinic on the latest health news, research, and care. Blockage of the pancreatic duct. The pancreatic duct is a tube that runs from the pancreas and connects to the common bile duct just before entering the duodenum.

Pancreatic juices, which aid in digestion, flow through the pancreatic duct. A gallstone can cause a blockage in the pancreatic duct, which can lead to inflammation of the pancreas pancreatitis. Pancreatitis causes intense, constant abdominal pain and usually requires hospitalization.

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Rapid weight loss may increase your risk of gallstones and other health problems. While there is no foolproof way to completely prevent gallstones, cholesterol seems to play a major role in their formation. If you have a family history of gallstones, your doctor may advise you to limit foods with a high saturated fat content.

Some of these foods include:. Because people living with obesity are more predisposed to gallstones, keeping your weight within a moderate range is another way to limit the possibility of their formation. If your doctor has diagnosed you with gallstones and decides you need surgery to remove them or your gallbladder, the outlook is often positive. Still, you may want to make lifestyle changes to prevent them from getting bigger and causing problems. Gallstones can cause significant pain.

Here are nine natural treatments you might want to try to get rid of them. Gallbladder removal may affect your weight in the short term. Certain lifestyle changes may also prompt weight loss or management in the long term. Doctors perform gallbladder removal to provide permanent relief from gallstones and other problems associated with the gallbladder.

Gallbladder pain can be sudden, intense, and severe. Your gallbladder, located in your upper right abdomen, is an important part of your biliary system. Learn more about the function of your gallbladder…. Gallbladder ultrasound is a painless, noninvasive test used to diagnose conditions related to the gallbladder, such as gallbladder stones or polyps…. The gallbladder is an organ that stores bile.