Gallstones are crystals that have collected in the gallbladder or bile ducts.
Some people are genetically predisposed to gallstones, but there are other risk factors, including eating a high-fat diet and being overweight. Most people with gallstones will never know they have them. But in some people they do cause problems. If a doctor suspects you have gallstones he or she will likely ask you to go for an ultrasound or computerized tomography scan or an x-ray examination called a cholecystography. Blood tests to check for liver abnormalities may also be needed.