The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ on the right side of the abdomen just beneath the liver. It is attached to the liver by loose connective tissues. The gallbladder holds the digestive fluid bile, which is produced by the liver. In humans, the liver continually produces bile, around 400 to 800 ml every day.

What is bile? Bile, also called gall, is a dark green to a yellowish brown color fluid which emulsifies the lipids in the food. After eating, the stored bile is discharged into the duodenum. It increases the absorption of fat-soluble substances like vitamins A, D, E and K. Bile is also the exit route for bilirubin, a byproduct of red blood cells, which is recycled by the liver. The absence of bile in the body will lead to deficiencies in essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins.

As bile is continually produced and secreted, the excess bile flows into the gallbladder. At intervals, during digestion, the gallbladder contracts and squirts out its contents into the intestines, through the bile ducts.

What are gallstones? Gallstones are small stone-like deposits which form in the gallbladder. They may vary from the size of a pea to a golf ball sized stone. It may be a single stone or a collection of a few stones.

What causes gallstones in the gallbladder? They are formed when the bile contains too much cholesterol or bilirubin or other pigments. The presence of a higher content of these substances can cause the bile to crystallize and form stones. The cholesterol gallstones are more common and appear yellow in color. The pigment gallstones caused by too much bilirubin are dark brown or black in color.

Gallstones do not always cause pain. They are generally very small and pass through the bile ducts. Sometimes larger gallstones can get lodged into the ducts. This blocks the flow of bile, from the gallbladder to the small intestine, which causes inflammation in the gallbladder and results in pain.

Symptoms of a gallbladder attack
If you experience sudden pain in the middle or upper right section of your abdomen, which may last for a few minutes or up to a few hours, you may be having a gallbladder stone attack. The pain may lessen or disappear and recur again. The pain can also occur in your back or in your right shoulder. The other symptoms of an attack include sweating, vomiting, fever, and chills. The color of the urine becomes dark yellow or sometimes even a brownish color. The stools maybe reddish brown like the color of clay.

The risk of gallstones occurring in your bladder is higher if you are:

• Female
• Older than 40 years of age
• Overweight or obese
• Have a family history of gallstones
• Losing weight rapidly
• Having liver problems
• Pregnant
• Eating a high-cholesterol diet
• Eating a low-fiber diet
• Having diabetes
• Having coronary problems
• Having medicines that contain estrogen, such as hormone therapy drugs
• Sedentary in your lifestyle