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| The gallbladder serves as a reservoir until bile is needed in the small intestine for digestion of fat. About 15% of people with stones in the gallbladder also have stones in the common bile duct (choledocholithiasis), which sometimes pass into the small intestine but also may lodge in the duct and cause distention, infection, or pancreatitis. Symptoms About 80% of people with gallstones never experience any symptoms. Common Bile Duct Stones (Choledocholithiasis) Stones lodged in the common bile duct (choledocholithiasis) can block the flow of bile and cause jaundice. Women are probably at increased risk because the female hormone estrogen stimulates the liver to remove more cholesterol from blood and divert it into the bile. After three years, however, some types of cholesterol not ordinarily associated with coronary artery disease had risen significantly. |
| Monounsaturated Oils |