Gallstones

What are gallstones, and what causes them?

Gallstones are stones in your gallbladder or biliary duct system. They are caused when the chemical makeup of bile becomes imbalanced, or they can be caused by too much cholesterol in the bile, along with some other imbalances in the bile. Gallstones can cause problems when they block bile duct openings, which prevents the gallbladder from releasing bile into the stomach when you eat food, which aids with digestion. If you have gallstones, eating spicy or fatty foods can cause a gallbladder attack--a pain located in the upper abdomen just under the sternum known as the epigastric region. This pain can radiate into the right side and even into the mid back. Gallstones are diagnosed by symptoms along with imaging such as ultrasound or CT scan. Gallstones tend to occur more often in people who are overweight, in females who have had children, and in people over age 40 but can happen to almost anyone at any time. If that indigestion becomes worse or more frequent, check with your doctor to rule out gallstones. 

Gallstones-Gallstones - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic