Gallstones are hard deposits that form in your gallbladder when components of bile-such as cholesterol or bilirubin-solidify. They can range in size from tiny grains to golf balls and may remain silent or lead to painful attacks and complications.
Many people don't notice gallstones until they block a bile duct. When symptoms occur, you may experience:
Gallstones develop when factors alter bile composition or gallbladder function, including:
At GastroDoxs in Cypress, our gallstone specialists are committed to providing patient-centered care and personalized treatment plans. Whether you need dietary guidance to prevent stones, ursodiol therapy to dissolve cholesterol deposits, or a minimally invasive laparoscopic cholecystectomy, our compassionate team delivers expert diagnostics and gentle, effective interventions. We'll support you at every step-so you can achieve lasting relief and get back to enjoying life.
We've successfully treated more than 1K patients, helping individuals improve their digestive health and overall well-being through expert, personalized care.
With over 20 years of experience, GastroDoxs has been a trusted provider of gastroenterology care, focusing on delivering the best outcomes for patients
Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
Gallstones can range in appearance from smooth, yellow-green cholesterol stones to dark, gritty pigment stones. They vary widely in size-from tiny grains to stones as large as a golf ball.
Foods high in unhealthy fats and cholesterol-such as fried foods, heavy creams, processed meats, and high-fat dairy-can trigger gallbladder spasms and pain in individuals with gallstones.
Limit or avoid cheese, butter, whole milk, cream soups, fast-food burgers, and other fatty or fried items to reduce gallbladder stimulation and prevent pain.
Yes. When gallstones block bile flow into the intestines, digestion can slow, which may lead to constipation and abdominal discomfort.
Yes. If bile bypasses the small intestine too quickly-often due to partial obstruction-it can cause loose, watery stools or diarrhea.
Small cholesterol gallstones may dissolve over time, especially with ursodiol therapy, but most gallstones require medical treatment or removal to resolve symptoms.
Although uncommon, stones can still form in the bile ducts after gallbladder removal, leading to similar symptoms and requiring evaluation.
When bile flow is blocked by gallstones, stools often appear pale, clay-colored, or greasy, because bile pigments can't reach the intestines to color the stool.
Ursodiol and similar bile-acid medications typically require 6-12 months of daily use to dissolve small cholesterol stones, and suitability depends on stone size and composition.
Consult a specialist if you experience repeated upper-right abdominal pain, jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes), fever, vomiting, or any concerning digestive symptoms.
