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The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ that’s tucked beneath your liver. It stores bile (digestive juice), a fluid that helps the body break down fat.
Gallstones are tiny stones that form inside the gallbladder. they’ll be small specks or get as big as the whole gallbladder, which might be up to 6 inches long.
Normally, the gallbladder fills with bile(digestive fluid) in between meals. Then, when you eat fatty foods, the gallbladder empties the digestive fluid into the intestine. Sometimes, though, gallstones clog the gallbladder and block it from draining. Other times, gallstones simply irritate the gallbladder. If the gallstones are pushed out of the gallbladder, they can block the liver or pancreas from draining.
In most cases, gallstones don’t cause any symptoms. when they do cause symptoms, gallstones may cause:
If you recognize that you have gallstones but don’t have any symptoms, you most likely won’t need treatment. however, if you start having symptoms, you must get treated. The symptoms can come and go; however, they usually intensify over time.
Not usually. In rare cases they can result in serious issues, including:
Yes, doctors can determine if you have gallstones by doing an imaging test, like an ultrasound. an ultrasound is a painless test that uses sound waves to make an image of your gallbladder.
Even if tests show that you have gallstones, that doesn’t mean they’re inflicting symptoms. Your doctor may ought to do different tests sure certain your stones and your symptoms are related.
People with gallstones generally have three treatment choices. they can have:
The right treatment for you may rely on:
Ask your doctor how each treatment might affect you. Then work with him or her to seek out the treatment that creates the most sense for you.
Yes. you can try to keep yourself at a healthy weight. those who are overweight are more likely to get gallstones.
If you intend to slim down quickly – even if you have never had gallstones – ask your doctor what you can do to keep from getting gallstones. Losing weight quickly – for instance, through weight loss surgery – can result in gallstones. however, your doctor can provide you with medicines to keep that from happening.
Where to get help
Gallstones that cause no symptoms often need no treatment. Pain under the right ribs after meals, yellow eyes, or fever with pain are reasons to see a surgeon. The usual treatment is keyhole removal of the gallbladder.
Dr Harsh Shah, MS, MCh (Surgical Gastroenterology), DrNB (Surgical Gastroenterology), is a surgical gastroenterologist. He sees stomach, bowel, liver and pancreas problems at his Gota OPD, and operates at Apollo Hospital, Bhat, Gandhinagar when surgery is needed.
Read more: gastroenterologist and GI surgeon in Ahmedabad
Related: Gallstone treatment in Ahmedabad · Biliary colic · Gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) · Pancreatitis treatment
OPD: Shah’s Gastro, Cancer & Robotic Surgery Centre, SF-203, 2nd floor, Olive Greens, Gota, S G Highway, Ahmedabad 382481. Call to book. Bring your old reports; second opinions are welcome.
Last updated: 3 October 2026
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