Gallstones

Definition

Gallstones may be as small as a grain of sand, or they may become as large as an inch in diameter, depending on how much time has elapsed from their initial formation.

Alternative Names

Causes

Gallstones often have no symptoms and are usually discovered incidentally by a routine x-ray, surgery, or autopsy.

Gallstones are a common health problem worldwide. They are more common in women, Native Americans, and people over the age of 40.

Other risk factors include ethnic and hereditary factors, obesity, diabetes, liver cirrhosis, long-term intravenous nutrition (total parenteral nutrition), and certain operations for peptic ulcers.