fullness in stomach

Gallstones are crystallized components of bile (bile for short). This fluid is produced in the liver and collected in the gallbladder, which is only a few centimeters long and lies directly below it. If necessary, the bile is passed via the bile duct into the small intestine, where it supports the digestion of fat.
The main component of bile is water, which makes up around 80 percent. It also contains bile acids, proteins and bilirubin (a yellowish breakdown product of the red blood pigment hemoglobin). Bile also contains cholesterol. Both bilirubin and cholesterol can crystallize, resulting in very fine stones just a few millimeters in size (semolina) or gallstones up to several centimeters in size. Doctors then speak of cholelithiasis.

It is estimated that between 5 and 25% of the population have gallstones. People over the age of 40 are more frequently affected, women more than men.