Bile is made up of cholesterol, salts, and bile pigments. These ingredients can form crystals that become a stone. Gallbladder disease often results from the formation of gallstones in the bile. It is a common condition in overweight, middle-aged women. Small gallstones may pass unnoticed through the duct and into the intestine.
Large stones can become lodged in the neck of the gallbladder.
This causes cramps and pain. The site where the stone is stuck may become inflamed or infected. When the stone lodges in the bile duct, the flow of bile into the intestines becomes blocked. This leads to poor digestion of fats. It backs up a liver waste product and causes the skin and eyes to have a deep yellow color known as jaundice.