How & Why Do Gallstones Form?
Gallstones form when liquid
stored in the gallbladder hardens into pieces of stone-like material.
The liquid, called bile, is used to help the body digest fats. Bile is made
in the liver, then stored in the gallbladder until the body needs to digest
fat. At that time, the gallbladder contracts and pushes the bile into a
tube--called the common bile duct--that carries it to the small intestine,
where it helps with digestion.If
the liquid bile contains too much cholesterol, bile salts, or bilirubin,
under certain conditions it can harden into stones.
Gallstones can block the normal flow of bile if they lodge in any of the
ducts that carry bile from the liver to the small intestine.
If any of these ducts remain
blocked for a significant period of time, severe--possibly fatal--damage or
infections can occur, affecting the gallbladder, liver, or pancreas. Warning
signs of a serious problem are fever, jaundice, and persistent pain.
