Causes

Gallstones are caused by an imbalance of the substances such as cholesterol that make up bile, a liquid made by the body to digest fat. If there are excessive amounts of cholesterol in bile, for example, crystals form. Over time, the crystals can stick to one another to form stones in the gallbladder, the body's storage tank for bile. If these stones lodge in the neck of the gallbladder or the bile ducts connecting the gallbladder to the liver and the small intestine, pain, inflammation or other symptoms can result, leading to serious complications.

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This section contains more information on what causes:

• Cholesterol stones
• Pigment stones