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Preamble

About 20 million people in the United States have gallstones.¹ Most people who have them don't know it and never get any symptoms.

But some people do get symptoms from gallstones. And a lot of people who get symptoms decide to have an operation to take out their gallbladder. Each year more than 500,000 people in the United States have this operation.¹ This is the usual treatment if you have pain from gallstones or if the gallstones are causing problems, such as inflammation of your gallbladder.

Gallstones happen more in some people than others. They are generally more common in these groups.

• People over the age of 40. People under 20 hardly ever get them.
• Women. Women are three times more likely than men to get gallstones before the age of 50. After that age, the chances even out some, but women are still more likely to get them.
• People who are obese (very overweight).

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.