Gallstones are small stone-like deposits that form in the
gallbladder or nearby ducts. The gallbladder, a small sac
located under the liver, stores the bile produced by the liver
then delivers it to the small intestine through a series of
ducts or canals. Bile, which is composed of water, cholesterol,
fats, bile salts, proteins, and bilirubin, helps you to digest
fats. Under certain conditions, some components of bile can
harden into gallstones, which range in size from a grain of sand
to a golf ball. There may be many small stones or just one large
stone, or a combination of sizes and amounts. One in 12
Americans may develop gallstones at some point in their lives,
and in most cases they are harmless and cause no symptoms.
However, some gallstones block the ducts leading into and out of
the gallbladder or migrate into these ducts. This can cause
inflammation, infection, and damage to the gallbladder or
surrounding ducts and organs. It is important to seek treatment
in these cases. Again, most gallstones are