Gallstones are pieces of solid matter that form in the gallbladder, a part of the digestive system that stores bile, which helps your body digest food. Gallstones form when parts of the bile form hard crystals. There are 2 types of gallstones: pigment (bilirubin) and cholesterol. Most people have cholesterol gallstones. They sometimes form as lots of small stones or may form as one big stone. A lot of times, gallstones don't cause any symptoms. When they do, some common symptoms include:

* a severe pain in the upper abdomen or right side that sometimes lasts for several hours
* pain in the right shoulder or between your shoulder blades
* nausea or throwing up
* sweating
* indigestion or stomach bloating after a fatty meal

Some factors that put you more at risk for gallstones include:

* obesity
* too much estrogen
* gender (female)
* age (over 60)
* taking drugs that lower cholesterol
* diabetes
* rapid weight loss
* fasting

Because of high levels of cholesterol in their bile, more American Indians have gallstones than other women in the United States. Among the Pima Indians of Arizona, 70% of women have gallstones by age 30.

Publications

1. Gallstones - This fact sheets present the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, complications, and treatment of gallstones. Gallstones form when liquid stored in the gallbladder hardens into pieces of stone-like material.

Organizations

1. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, NIDDK, NIH, HHS

2. National Indian Women's Health Resource Center (NIWHRC)