Gallstones

The Gallbladder is a smallish sac which contains a digestive fluid produced by a liver called bile which is used to break down and digest fat. When this fluid hardens and becomes a stone-like material, they form what is known as Gallstones. These usually form when cholesterol, bilirubin or bile salts are found to be at high levels within the body.

Sometimes Gallstones can form a wide variety of sizes ranging from little stones to golf ball sized ones and even a combination of both. Gallstones can be categorised into two types:

Cholesterol Stones which are the most common

Pigment Stones which are formed when there is high level of bilirubin in the system

Mixed stones are possible when both Cholesterol Stones and Pigment Stones are present.