Causes

It's not clear what causes gallstones to form. Doctors think gallstones may result when:

• Your bile contains too much cholesterol

Normally, your bile contains enough chemicals to dissolve the cholesterol excreted by your liver. But if your liver excretes more cholesterol than your bile can dissolve, the excess cholesterol may form into crystals and eventually into stones.

• Your bile contains too much bilirubin

Bilirubin is a chemical that's produced when your body breaks down red blood cells. Certain conditions cause your liver to make too much bilirubin, including liver cirrhosis, biliary tract infections and certain blood disorders. The excess bilirubin contributes to gallstone formation.

• Your gallbladder doesn't empty correctly

If your gallbladder doesn't empty completely or often enough, bile may become very concentrated, contributing to the formation of gallstones.

Treatment

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Most people with gallstones that don't cause symptoms will never need treatment. Your doctor will determine if treatment for gallstones is indicated based on your symptoms and the results of diagnostic testing.

Your doctor may recommend that you be alert for symptoms of gallstone complications, such as intensifying pain in your upper right abdomen. If gallstone signs and symptoms occur in the future, you can have treatment.

Treatment options for gallstones include:

Surgery to remove the gallbladder (cholecystectomy).

Your doctor may recommend surgery to remove your gallbladder, since gallstones frequently recur. Once your gallbladder is removed, bile flows directly from your liver into your small intestine, rather than being stored in your gallbladder. You don't need your gallbladder to live, and gallbladder removal doesn't affect your ability to digest food, but it can cause diarrhea, which is usually temporary.

Medications to dissolve gallstones

Medications you take by mouth may help dissolve gallstones. But it may take months or years of treatment to dissolve your gallstones in this way, and gallstones will likely form again if treatment is stopped. Sometimes medications don't work. Medications for gallstones aren't commonly used and are reserved for people who can't undergo surgery.

Causes

It's not clear what causes gallstones to form. Doctors think gallstones may result when:

• Your bile contains too much cholesterol

Normally, your bile contains enough chemicals to dissolve the cholesterol excreted by your liver. But if your liver excretes more cholesterol than your bile can dissolve, the excess cholesterol may form into crystals and eventually into stones.

• Your bile contains too much bilirubin

Bilirubin is a chemical that's produced when your body breaks down red blood cells. Certain conditions cause your liver to make too much bilirubin, including liver cirrhosis, biliary tract infections and certain blood disorders. The excess bilirubin contributes to gallstone formation.

• Your gallbladder doesn't empty correctly

If your gallbladder doesn't empty completely or often enough, bile may become very concentrated, contributing to the formation of gallstones.