FAQ Category: CAUSE OF GALLSTONES

No. Since the gallbladder is the organ where gallstones form, they cannot return after the gallbladder has been removed. However, in rare cases, stones can form in the bile ducts themselves.  

Your liver still produces bile, but instead of being stored in the gallbladder, it flows directly into your small intestine. For most people, this doesn’t affect digestion. You may experience some loose stools or diarrhea, but this is usually temporary.  

Many people with gallstones have no symptoms at all. These are often called “silent stones.” However, if a gallstone gets lodged in a duct, it can cause a “gallbladder attack” or biliary colic. Symptoms of a gallbladder attack can include: Sudden and rapidly intensifying pain in the upper right part of your abdomen. Pain in…

Several factors can increase your risk of developing gallstones, including: Gender: Women are more likely to develop gallstones than men, especially those who are pregnant or taking hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills. Age: The risk of gallstones increases as you get older. Obesity: Being overweight or obese significantly increases your risk. Rapid weight…

Gallstones form when bile contains too much cholesterol or too much bilirubin. 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 stones. Too much bilirubin: Bilirubin…