Gallstones: Causes, Symptoms, and Potential Complications

Cholelithiasis or gallstone disease, occurs when cholesterol in bile crystallizes and blocks the ducts between the liver, gallbladder, and small intestines.

Gallstones can cause sharp abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting. In severe cases, gallstones can lead to serious complications, such as infection, pancreatitis, and even death. The risk of developing gallstones increases with age, obesity, female sex, and high levels of cholesterol or bilirubin in the bile. Treatment for gallstones includes removing the gallbladder (cholecystectomy), breaking up the gallstones with sound waves (lithotripsy), or medications to dissolve the gallstones.