Gallstones: How They Form, Where They Hurt, and How They're Treated

What is the gallbladder?

The gallbladder is an organ found behind the liver, easily recognizable because of its pearish shape. Consider the gallbladder as a sort of holding tank for bile. Bile is a mixture of water, salt, cholesterol and bilirubin, which is a pigment that…well…have you ever wondered why poop is brown? Bilirubin is the answer. The gallbladder holds bile like a little tank as it contracts, sending the bile to your small intestine.


What are gallstones?

Gallstones are actually just tiny little nuggets of material found in bile. The gallstone is formed when there is an overabundance of one of those ingredients that make up bile. The overwhelming majority of gallstones occur as a result of too much cholesterol, but gallstones are also formed where there is too much bilirubin. In addition, if the gallbladder isn’t totally voided gallstones can result.

What are the symptoms of gallstones?

The pain associated with gallstones occurs either when the gallstone gets stuck on the way to the intestine, or when it inflames inside the gallbladder. The result will be incredibly intense pain that begins in the upper right portion of your abdomen. Usually the pain then spreads outward to the back, chest and right shoulder. This pain can last as little as a half hour up to several hours. Besides abdominal pain, other symptoms of gallstones include nausea to the point of vomiting, belching and/or flatulence, indigestion, and even yellowing of the skin. Gallstone pain typically sets on after a meal, usually a meal that contains food high in fat.

Who is most at risk for gallstones?