What are gallstones?
Gallstones (cholelithiasis) are hardened deposits that form inside the gallbladder, a small organ that stores bile to help digest fats. These deposits can range in size from tiny grains to larger golf ball-sized gallbladder stones. Sometimes, gallstones become stuck in the bile ducts, the canals that transport digestive fluids. This can block the flow of bile, causing pain and leading to other complications.
Gallstones are treated by gastroenterologists, doctors who focus on the digestive system. At Penn Medicine, our gastroenterology and hepatology care specialists provide advanced endoscopic treatments and other options to manage gallstones and the complications they can cause.
Recognizing gallstone symptoms
Many people with gallstones don’t have symptoms. These silent gallstones may be found by chance during imaging tests or surgery for another reason. Gallstones can become a problem when a stone blocks the duct that drains the gallbladder. This can cause pain (biliary colic) in the upper right or middle of the abdomen or chest. Pain can come on suddenly, last 30 minutes or longer, and feel intense.
Other common gallstone symptoms include:
- Discomfort that may feel sharp, dull, or cramping
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fever or chills
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Light-colored or clay-colored stools
What causes gallstones to form?
Gallstones can form when there’s too much cholesterol or bilirubin in your bile, or not enough bile acids to help digest fats. When these components become unbalanced, crystals can form and harden into stones inside the gallbladder.
Gallstones are usually classified by what they’re made of. Stones made of cholesterol are the most common, while pigment stones, made mostly of bilirubin, occur less often.
How gallstones are diagnosed
To find out if gallstones are causing your symptoms, your provider may start with lab tests like a complete blood count, liver function studies, and tests for bilirubin and pancreatic enzymes. These tests can show signs of infection, inflammation, or a possible blockage in the bile ducts. Imaging tests can confirm whether gallstones are present and help determine their location.
Treatment options for gallstones
If you have repeated gallbladder attacks, treatment can help prevent future episodes and relieve discomfort. Medications made from bile acids may help dissolve cholesterol gallstones, but they work slowly and are not always effective for everyone. When surgery is needed, a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure may be performed to remove the gallbladder. Recovery time for gallstones surgery is often quick, with most people going home within 24 hours and resuming normal activities within a week or two.
Solving the most complex gastrointestinal problems
When you have painful symptoms of a gallstone attack or signs of infection, it’s important to get medical help right away. At Penn Medicine, our specialists treat everything from routine gallstone problems to complex bile duct or gallbladder infections.
Physicians across Pennsylvania and New Jersey refer challenging cases to our team for endoscopic and minimally invasive procedures. These techniques let us diagnose and treat gallstones and related conditions during the same procedure, often avoiding traditional open surgery. Our surgeons and gastroenterologists work together to provide safe, effective treatment and support a faster recovery.