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"Vesicual lithiasis is the formation of stones in the gallbladder, the organ that stores bile secreted by the liver. Theses stones look like little pebbles and are composed of cholesterol, bile pigments and calcium.\n\nThe stones may be numerous if they are small (like a grain of salt), and they can be as large as a golf ball.\n\nBiliary lithiasis, or gallbladder stones, is quite widespread and affects two to three times more women than men. Starting at age 70, ten to fifteen percent of men are affected, as well as 25 to 30% of women. The risk of gallbladder stones may increase with age, reaching 60% after age 80. Only 20% of people affected will experience complications.\n\nA hepatic colic or biliary colic attack is caused by a gallstone passing into the gallbladder, temporarily blocking it and preventing the bile from draining. Such an attack can last 30 minutes to four hours, and pain begins to subside when the gallstone is dislodged. An attack can occur at any time with no triggering event.\n\nCauses\n\nCholesterol gallstones are formed when:\n\n\nThere is too much cholesterol in the bile\nThere is not enough bile salt in the bile\nThe gallbladder does not contract regularly\n\n\nIt is not clear what triggers the formation of the gallstones, but the most common risk factor is obesity.\n\nSymptoms\nIn most cases, biliary lithiasis does not cause symptoms. Gallstones are therefore diagnosed during a bladder ultrasound.\n\nWhen gallbladder stones cause symptoms, you may feel:\n\n\nSudden, intense and constant pain, such as a tightening in the upper right part of the abdomen. Pain may radiate toward the right shoulder and shoulder blade.\nNausea and vomiting\n\n\nTreatment for vesicular lithiasis and biliary colic\n\nMost cases of asymptomatic vesicular lithiasis (gallstones) do not need treatment. Occasional (hepatic colic) or constant and severe pain (cholecystitis) can be treated with analgesics, or sometimes with antibiotics (cholecystitis), anti-spasmodics and anti-emetics to relieve nausea and reduce vomiting. Surgery is eventually needed to remove the gallbladder and gallstones (cholecystectomy). This procedure can be performed through small incisions in the abdomen (laparoscopy), or can take the form of open surgery (laparotomy). For non-urgent cases, an oral treatment is available with a drug (ursodiol) that dissolves certain stones within six months to two years."
<https://www.biron.com/en/education-center/neat-little-guide/digestive-disorders/>