Gallstones refer to small stones of the digestive fluid that build in the gallbladder, which is a pear-shaped organ located beneath the liver in the upper abdominal right side. The function of the gallbladder is to store bile, a green-yellow fluid produced in the liver to aid in digestion.Gallstones may also occur when your gallbladder fails to empty correctly. For your gallbladder to stay healthy, it needs to drain regularly. Failure to do so results in highly concentrated bile, which causes the formation of stones. You may not experience any signs and symptoms of gallstones. However, when the condition blocks the bile duct, you may experience a number of signs and symptoms. It is advisable to seek urgent medical help when the signs and symptoms of gallstones persist to avoid possible complications, including gallbladder cancer, pancreatic duct blockage, and gallbladder inflammation.
