Gallstone
Stone formed in gallbladder from precipitated bile components.
A gallstone is a stone formed within the gallbladder from precipitated bile components. The term cholelithiasis may refer to the presence of gallstones or to any disease caused by gallstones, and choledocholithiasis refers to the presence of migrated gallstones within bile ducts. Most people with gallstones (about 80%) are asymptomatic, but when a gallstone obstructs the bile duct, it can cause intense cramp-like visceral pain known as biliary colic. Gallstones are a common condition in developed countries, affecting 10–15% of adults, and are more frequent in women and after age 40.
- field
- Medicine
- known_for
- Formation of stones in the gallbladder from bile components
- prevalence_in_adults
- 10–15% in developed countries
- asymptomatic_rate
- about 80%
- annual_attack_rate
- 1–4% of those with gallstones
Lore & Background
Gallstones form from cholesterol, bile salts, and bilirubin. Cholesterol stones are mainly from cholesterol; pigment stones are mainly from bilirubin. Risk factors include birth control pills, pregnancy, family history, obesity, diabetes, liver disease, and rapid weight loss. Gallstones are more common in women and after age 40, and rates vary by ethnicity—48% of Native Americans experience gallstones, while rates in parts of Africa are as low as 3%.
Reader's Guide
Gallstone disease is significant because it is a common condition that can lead to serious complications. While most people with gallstones are asymptomatic, about 1–4% per year experience biliary colic when a stone obstructs the bile duct. Complications include cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder), pancreatitis, obstructive jaundice, and cholangitis (bile duct infection). Diagnosis is typically confirmed by ultrasound, and treatment for symptomatic cases often involves surgical removal of the gallbladder. The risk of gallstones may be decreased by maintaining a healthy weight with exercise and diet. Once the gallbladder is removed, outcomes are generally positive. The condition's high prevalence and potential for severe complications make it a major focus in gastroenterology and surgery.
Did You Know?
- Most people with gallstones (about 80%) are asymptomatic.
- Gallstones are more common among women than men and occur more commonly after age 40.
- 48% of Native Americans experience gallstones, whereas rates in many parts of Africa are as low as 3%.
- Complications from gallstones may include inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis), inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), obstructive jaundice, and infection in bile ducts (cholangitis).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Gallstone?
A gallstone is a hardened deposit that builds up inside the gallbladder when specific components of bile crystallize and precipitate out of solution. Think of it as a mineral-like structure formed from the very fluid the gallbladder stores and concentrates.
Do Gallstones always cause pain?
About four out of five people who have gallstones never experience any symptoms at all, a phenomenon often called the silent gallstone. The classic cramping, visceral pain of biliary colic typically appears only when a stone shifts and partially or fully blocks a bile duct.
Who is most likely to develop Gallstones?
Women, particularly those past the age of 40, carry a noticeably higher risk than men, and the condition becomes progressively more common with advancing age. It is also far more prevalent in industrialized, high-fat-diet populations than in many other regions.
What's the difference between a Gallstone and a choledocholith?
A gallstone refers to a stone sitting in the gallbladder itself, while choledocholithiasis is the term used when a stone has migrated down into the common bile duct. Both can cause obstruction, but the location changes which ducts are affected and how the symptoms present.
More in Common Diseases & Disorders 1-24
Elsewhere in the Common Diseases & Disorders universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record