What are gallstones? Gallstones usually form in the gallbladder when stored fluid hardens into pieces of stone-like material. Additionally, gallstones can form anywhere in the intrahepatic, hepatic, common bile, or cystic ducts. The fluid, called bile, is used to help the body digest fats. Bile is produced in the liver and then stored in the gallbladder until the body needs to digest fats. At this time, the gallbladder contracts and pushes the bile into a channel that carries it to the small intestine, where it facilitates its assimilation. Gallstones are a yellow fluid composed of fats and cholesterol that turn into stones when collected in the gallbladder. Gallstones are hard, stone-like deposits that form inside the gallbladder. Gallstones range in size from very small to as large as a golf ball. Additionally, gallstones can move from the gallbladder to the common or cystic duct. However, knowledge about gallstones, their occurrence, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and complications is very beneficial as you can avoid them in the future. Gallstones are more common in women. They are also more common in people who are overweight and in people with a family history of gallstones. According to (Harvard Women's Health Watch 18.7 (2011): 6-7.), "more than 25 million people in the United States have gallstones, and 65 to 75 percent of them are women." Gallstones occur in the gallbladder when bile becomes trapped there and causes irritation and pressure. In the bile duct, gallstones may consist of bile pigments and cholesterol salts. Cholesterol gallstones are the most common type that form depending on the amount of cholesterol present in the body. bile. Estrogen further increases cholesterol concentration in the middle of paper...... and inflammation of the pancreas.Works CitedA.DAM National Center for Biotechnology Information August 11, 2011. November 2011. Marks, Jay W . MedicineNet. June 29, 2011. November 11, 2011. National Digestive Disease Information Center. July 11, 2007. November 11, 2011. National Digestive Disease Information Center. Robb-Nicholson. Harvard Women's Health Surveillance. March 11, 2011. November 11 2011 .