The gallbladder is a small muscular sac located under the liver that stores bile secreted by the liver. Bile helps you digest fats. At the turn of the century, physicians believed gallstones were always the result of a diseased gallbladder. Today they realize that gallstones, most of which are composed mainly of cholesterol, are primarily caused by a disturbance in cholesterol metabolism within the liver. Cholesterol crystals then form in the bile and grow into larger stones.
Many people can live for years without knowing they have gallstones.
Pain below the breastbone or right rib cage, called biliary colic, is usually the first symptom. It's a sharp, boring, intense pain that can radiate around to the back. Nausea, vomiting, and fever can accompany an attack, which can last several hours. Obesity, pregnancy, diabetes, prolonged fasting, cystic fibrosis, certain medications, or a high-calorie diet can increase your chances of developing gallstones. The condition becomes more common as you age.