Forsyth Medical Center 
Gallbladder/Bile Duct
Gallstones
| Gallstones form when bile stored in the gallbladder hardens into stone-like material. |
Causes of Gallstones
There are two types of gallstones--cholesterol stones and pigment stones.
Cholesterol Stones
This type of stone forms when bile contains too much cholesterol or bilirubin and not enough bile salts. Cholesterol stones can also form when the gallbladder does not empty properly.
Pigment Stones
Pigment stones typically develop in people who have cirrhosis, biliary tract infections and hereditary blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia.
Symptoms of Gallstones
The most common symptoms of gallstones include:
- Abdominal pain that comes and goes
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Jaundice
- Abdominal bloating
- Intolerance of fatty foods
- Belching or gas
- Indigestion
Risk Factors
Common risk factors for gallstones include the following:
- Obesity (especially in women)
- Excess estrogen (commonly from pregnancy, hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills)
- Ethnicity (most common in Native Americans)
- Gender (women between 20 and 60 years of age)
- Use of cholesterol-lowering medications
- Diabetes
- Rapid weight loss
- Fasting
Diagnosis of Gallstones
Gallstones are diagnosed by one of the following procedures:
- Ultrasound
- Cholecystography (gallbladder series)
- Blood tests
- CT scan
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
- Sphincterotomy
