Gallstones Definition & Overview

Get Email Updates

Related Topics

Gallstones Guide

Christine Jeffries

Have a question? We're here to help. Ask the Community.

ASK

Health Newsletter

Receive the latest and greatest in women's health and wellness from EmpowHER - for free!

Definition

Gallstones are pieces of stone-like material that form in the gallbladder. The majority of gallstones are made up of cholesterol. The rest are made up of bilirubin. Bilirubin is a breakdown pigment of the blood product hemoglobin.

Biliary colic is the pain caused by a gallstone stuck in the bile duct, a tube that carries bile to the small intestine. Sometimes, a stone caught in the bile duct causes cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder). Cholangitis is inflammation of the bile duct caused by a gallstone or a bacterial infection.

Gallstones

© 2009 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2013 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.

More Gallstones Information

  • 4 comments

    Gallstone disease is the most common gastrointestinal disease requiring hospitalization, according to Johns Hopkins University. Most people have gallstones without even knowing it and ...

    View Comments Anonymous commented 14 weeks ago.
    gallstones stuck on bile duct cause stomach pain, fever and chills Trapped: The Effects of Gallstones Stuck to Your Bile Ducts
  • 0 comments

    Gallstones are pieces of solid matter that form in the gallbladder. The gallbladder stores bile, which helps your body digest food. Gallstones form when parts of the bile turn into ...

    American Indian Women's Health: Gallstones
  • Cálculos biliares

    Encylopedia entry for Cálculos biliares.

    Cálculos biliares(Cólico biliar, cálculo de la vesícula biliar, colangitis, c

  • 0 comments

    Individuals who are overweight and lose weight rapidly have an increased risk of developing gallstones. Dieters who lose more than three pounds per week are at higher risk compared to ...

    Gallstones Caused by Rapid Weight Loss
  • Gallstones

    Encylopedia entry for Gallstones.

    Gallstones(Biliary Colic; Calculus of Gallbladder; Cholangitis; Cholelithiasis; Cholecystiti

  • Talking to Your Doctor About Gallstones

    Encylopedia entry for Talking to Your Doctor About Gallstones.

    Talking to Your Doctor About Gallstones by Diane Vo

  • Resource Guide for Gallstones

    Encylopedia entry for Resource Guide for Gallstones.

    Resource Guide for Gallstones by Diane Voyatzis Nor

  • Anatomy of a Gallstone

    Encylopedia entry for Anatomy of a Gallstone.

  • Gallstones

    Encylopedia entry for Gallstones.

    GallstonesRelated Terms

  • Gallstones

    Encylopedia entry for Gallstones.

    Gallstones(Cholelithiasis; Biliary Calculi) by

Improved

1303 Health

Changed

467 Lives

Saved

334 Lives
0 lives impacted in the last 24 hrs Learn More

Connect with Women Like You 62 Women Care About this Condition

You're not alone. Connect with other women who are going through what you're going through, who understand and are here for you!

+ Join this Community

Take Our Featured Health Poll

Do you have hot flashes due to menopause? :
View Results