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Gallstones facts

• Gallstones are "stones" that form in the gallbladder or bile ducts.

• The common types of gallstones are cholesterol, black pigment, and brown pigment.

• Cholesterol gallstones occur more frequently in several ethnic groups and are associated with female gender, obesity, pregnancy, oral hormonal therapy, rapid loss of weight, elevated blood triglyceride levels, and Crohn's disease.

• Black pigment gallstones occur when there is increased destruction of red blood cells, and brown pigment gallstones occur when there is slow flow and infection of bile.

• The majority of gallstones do not cause symptoms.

• The most common symptoms of gallstones are biliary colic and cholecystitis. Gallstones do not cause intolerance to fatty foods, belching, abdominal distention, or gas.

• Complications of gallstones include cho...

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