Gallstones are hardened deposits that form in the gallbladder, a pear-shaped organ located below the liver. The gallbladder’s primary function is to store bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver. Bile contains various substances, including cholesterol, bile salts, and waste products.

Gallstones can develop when there is an imbalance in the composition of bile, often caused by either an excess of cholesterol or too few bile salts. When there is an excess of cholesterol, it can crystallize and form solid masses within the gallbladder. Alternatively, if the gallbladder doesn’t empty properly, bile can become concentrated and lead to the formation of gallstones.

Gallstones can range in size and shape, from small pebble-like ones to larger, more irregularly shaped stones. They may not cause any symptoms if they remain in the gallbladder, but when they move and obstruct the bile ducts, they can trigger symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice).

Depending on the severity of symptoms and complications, treatment options for gallstones can include lifestyle changes, medications to dissolve the stones, or surgical removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy). The latter is considered the most effective treatment, as it eliminates the risk of recurrent gallstones.

It’s worth noting that the removal of the gallbladder does not have a significant impact on digestion. The liver continues to produce bile, which is released directly into the small intestine to aid in fat digestion. However, without the gallbladder’s storage and bile concentration capabilities, the release of bile may be more constant, resulting in more frequent but smaller amounts of bile being delivered to the small intestine.