Gallstones

Gallstones are hard, pebble-like substances that form in the gallbladder, a small organ beneath the liver that stores bile—a digestive fluid. They develop when certain substances in bile, like cholesterol or bilirubin, become imbalanced and crystallize. Gallstones can vary in size and may not cause symptoms, but if they block bile flow, they can lead to pain, nausea, or inflammation known as cholecystitis. Factors like obesity, high-cholesterol diets, or certain medical conditions increase their risk. Treatment options range from watchful waiting to medical procedures like surgery to remove the gallstones or the gallbladder itself.