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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What are gallstones, and how do they form?

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  • Dr Shekhar Sharma

    Colorectal Surgeon (Bowel), General Surgeon, Laparoscopic Surgeon

    As a general surgeon with 20+ years of experience, I strongly believe in “ethical & quality care”. I offer all general surgical services (e.g. scopes, … View Profile

    Gallstones are hardened deposits of bile that form in the gallbladder or bile ducts due to an imbalance in the chemical composition of bile. Bile is a digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, which helps digest fats. When bile contains too much cholesterol, bilirubin, or not enough bile salts, it can lead to crystallization and stone formation. Over time, these crystals grow into gallstones.

    There are two main types of gallstones:

    • Cholesterol stones: The most common type, formed when bile contains excess cholesterol.

    • Pigment stones: Made of bilirubin and more common in people with liver disease or certain blood disorders.

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