You've probably heard of gallstones before, but you may not know how common this malady is. Gallstones, as their name implies, are "stones" or pieces of solid matter that form inside your gallbladder. The stones are frequently harmless and cause no symptoms. But if your gallstones get too large or block one of your bile ducts, they can cause a medical emergency. If you have a family history of gallstones, or if you've had problems with stones yourself in the past, it's important for you to be aware of what causes this problem so you can reduce your risk of developing it.Most stones are made of cholesterol. Others can be caused by a build-up of bilirubin in your bile. If you develop gallstones, it's not always obvious from the outside that you have them. Common symptoms of gallstones include pain in the upper right quadrant of your abdomen, upper back pain, pain in the right shoulder, and nausea or vomiting.
If you develop any of the symptoms above, you should call your doctor right away. It's especially important that you seek medical attention if any of the six risk factors listed below apply to you. Gallstones can happen to anybody, but you're at increased risk if any of the following are true.
