The two main kinds of gallstones are:

Cholesterol stones: These are often yellow-green in color. They are the most common, and account for approximately 80 % of all gallstones.

Pigment stones: These are smaller and darker in color. They are bilirubin-based.

Gallstones may not be followed by any symptoms.

When a gallstone becomes lodged in a duct and causes a blockage, the following signs and symptoms may occur:

• Pain in the upper right part of your abdomen that is sudden and fast worsening
• Pain in the middle of your belly, right below your breastbone that is sudden and fast intensifying
• Back ache between the shoulder blades
• Pain in your right shoulder
• Nausea or vomiting
• Gallstone pain may last several minutes to a few hours.

• Females over the age of 40
• Obesity or being overweight
• Unhealthy lifestyle
• Pregnancy
• Consuming a high-fat, high-cholesterol, low-fiber diet
• Family history of gallstones
• Diabetes
• Sickle cell anaemia and leukaemia are two examples of blood diseases.
• Rapidly losing weight
• Using estrogen-containing pharmaceuticals, such as oral contraceptives or hormone treatment drugs
• Liver disease

It is unknown what causes gallstones to develop. Gallstones are considered to form when:
Your bile contains too much cholesterol: Normally, enough chemicals are present in your bile to breakdown the cholesterol released by your liver. However, if your liver excretes more cholesterol than your bile can breakdown, the extra cholesterol may crystallise and eventually form stones.
Your bile contains too much bilirubin: Bilirubin is a chemical created by your body when red blood cells are broken down. Certain conditions, such as liver cirrhosis, biliary tract infections, and certain blood problems, cause your liver to produce an excessive amount of bilirubin. Excess bilirubin leads to the production of gallstones.
Your gallbladder doesn't empty correctly: If your gallbladder doesn't empty completely or often enough, bile may become very concentrated, contributing to the formation of gallstones.

The majority of people who have gallstones that do not lead to symptoms will never require treatment. Based on your symptoms, your doctor will assess if gallstone treatment is necessary.
You can be treated if gallstone signs and symptoms reoccur in the future.
Treatment options for gallstones include: Medications to dissolve gallstones: Medications used directly may help in dissolving gallstones. However, it may take months or years of treatment to dissolve your gallstones in this manner, and if treatment is discontinued, gallstones will most likely develop again.
Medication may not always work. Gallstone medications are rarely used and are reserved for those who are unable to undergo surgery.
Surgery to remove the gallbladder (cholecystectomy): Gallstones commonly return, and the doctor may prescribe surgery to remove your gallbladder. Instead of being held in your gallbladder, bile flows directly from your liver into your small intestine after your gallbladder is removed.
You don't need your gallbladder to survive, and gallbladder removal has no effect on your capacity to digest food. However, gallbladder removal might induce diarrhoea, which is generally only brief.

Complications of gallstones may include:
Inflammation of the gallbladder: A gallstone that becomes trapped in the gallbladder's neck can induce gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis). Cholecystitis can cause severe pain and a high fever.
Blockage of the common bile duct: Gallstones can block the tubes that carry bile from your gallbladder or liver to your small intestine. Severe pain, jaundice, and bile duct infection are possible outcomes.
Blockage of the pancreatic duct:The pancreatic duct is a tube that connects the pancreas to the common bile duct shortly before entering the duodenum. The pancreatic duct transports pancreatic fluids, which help digestion.
A gallstone can induce a blockage in the pancreatic duct, resulting in pancreatic inflammation (pancreatitis). Pancreatitis is caused by significant, continuous abdominal pain and frequently requires hospitalization.
Gallbladder cancer: People who have a history of gallstones are more likely to develop gallbladder cancer. However, gallbladder cancer is rare. Even while the risk of cancer increases, the possibility of gallbladder cancer remains small.

You can reduce your risk of gallstones if you:
Don't skip meals. Try to eat at the same time every day. Fasting or skipping meals might raise the risk of gallstones.
Lose weight slowly. If you need to reduce weight, take it slowly. Rapid weight loss might increase your chance of developing gallstones. Aim for a weekly weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds (0.5 to 1 kilogram).
Eat more high-fibre foods. Increase your intake of fibre-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity and being overweight increase the chances of developing gallstones. Reduce the number of calories you eat and increase the quantity of physical exercise you get to reach a healthy weight. Once you've reached a healthy weight, aim to keep it there by sticking to a balanced diet and exercising regularly.