Gallstone disease is one of the most expensive digestive disorders, leading to about 1 million gallbladder removal surgeries (cholecystectomies) annually in the United States. Though surgery may relieve acute pain, it often fails to address the underlying cause, leaving some individuals with persistent or new digestive issues. Sudden, intense pain in the upper right abdomen that is sometimes mistaken for a heart attack due to its intensity and location Pain that may radiate to the back or right shoulder Episodes of pain lasting 30 minutes to several hours (typically less than six hours) Pain often occurring after meals, especially a large, fatty meal Accompanying nausea and vomiting Bile is a fluid produced by the liver, with important roles in digestion, absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K), and the elimination of waste products from the body.
It contains cholesterol, bile salts, bilirubin, phospholipids, and other substances. From the liver, bile flows into the gallbladder. Here, water and electrolytes are removed to concentrate the bile, making the stored bile more potent.
When dietary fat enters the small intestine, it triggers the release of the hormone CCK. CCK then stimulates the gallbladder to contract, releasing concentrated bile into the cystic duct. The cystic duct joins up with the common bile duct, which enters the small intestine.
Then, the bile emulsifies fats, breaking large fat globules into smaller droplets. If the bile becomes saturated with .
