What Are The Symptoms Of Gallstones?

Jaundice

Jaundice is a condition where an individual's white of the eye and skin take on an abnormal yellow tint and tone. When gallstones move into the common bile duct that leads to the small intestine, digestive enzymes from the pancreas and bilirubin from the liver cannot reach the small intestine. These substances build up in the gallbladder and bile ducts before they end up spilling over and accumulating in the liver. Bilirubin accumulates in the liver tissues and the blood because it has nowhere else to go. Bilirubin is produced as the liver breaks down old and dead red blood cells. This substance is synthesized in the liver and made into bile for use during digestion. When bilirubin accumulates in the body, the skin takes on a yellow color because bilirubin has a potent yellow pigmentation to it. Bilirubin leeches from the vessels that feed the individual's eyes, which give the white of their eyes the characteristic yellow tint seen with jaundice.