Answer
Gallstones (cholelithiases) form in the gallbladder which is attached to your liver. These will often present as pain in the right upper abdomen or upper middle abdomen. Most commonly, the pain is after eating. Fatty or greasy foods initiate the symptoms frequently. The pain can also be very similar to heartburn or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).If left untreated, gallstones can lead to more severe problems. You can develop severe inflammation or infection in your gallbladder (acute cholecystitis). If the stones obstruct your bile ducts, you can become jaundiced with yellow eyes and yellow skin. Additionally, gallstones can cause inflammation in your pancreas (pancreatitis) which can make one very ill.
The recommended treatment for gallstones in most circumstances is removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy). This can usually be done with very small incisions with a laparoscope (laparoscopic cholecystectomy). This is a very common operation and tolerated very well by most patients. There is no effective medication for gallstones.
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