A<unk>  is a stone formed within the gallbladder out of precipitated bile components. The term cholelithiasis may refer to the presence of<unk> s or to any disease caused by<unk> s, and choledocholithiasis refers to presence of migrated<unk> s within bile ducts. Most people with<unk> s (about 80%) are asymptomatic. However, when a<unk>  obstructs the bile duct and causes acute cholestasis, a reflexive smooth muscle spasm often occurs, resulting in an intense cramp-like visceral pain in the right upper part of the abdomen known as a biliary colic (or "gallbladder attack"). This happens in 1–4% of those with<unk> s each year. Complications of<unk> s may include inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis), inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), obstructive jaundice, and infection in bile ducts (cholangitis). Symptoms of these complications may include pain of more than five hours duration, fever, yellowish skin, vomiting, dark urine, and pale stools. Risk factors for<unk> s include birth control pills, pregnancy, a family history of<unk> s, obesity, diabetes, liver disease, or rapid weight loss. The bile components that form<unk> s include cholesterol, bile salts, and bilirubin.<unk> s formed mainly from cholesterol are termed cholesterol stones, and those mainly from bilirubin are termed pigment stones.<unk> s may be suspected based on symptoms. Diagnosis is then typically confirmed by ultrasound. Complications may be detected on blood tests. The risk of<unk> s may be decreased by maintaining a healthy weight with exercise and a healthy diet. If there are no symptoms, treatment is usually not needed. In those who are having gallbladder attacks, surgery to remove the gallbladder is typically recommended. This can be carried out either through several small incisions or through a single larger incision, usually under general anesthesia. In rare cases when surgery is not possible, medication can be used to dissolve the stones or lithotripsy to break them down. In developed countries, 10–15% of adults experience<unk> s. Gallbladder and biliary related diseases occurred in about 104 million people (1.6% of people) in 2013 and they resulted in 106,000 deaths. Women more commonly have stones than men and they occur more commonly after the age of 40. Certain ethnic groups get<unk> s more frequently than others. For example, 48% of Native Americans experience<unk> s, whereas in many parts of Africa the rates are as low as 3%. Once the gallbladder is removed, outcomes are generally positive.
Gallstone
Peptic ulcer disease
Biliary sludge
Breast pain
Hepatolithiasis
Gallbladder polyp
Ascites
Common bile duct stone