Examining the common treatments for gallstones

DEAR DR. ROACH: What advice do you have for the treatment of gallstones? -- N.W.

ANSWER: Gallstones are common (six percent of men and nine percent of women will get one over a lifetime) and are mostly composed of bile salts and cholesterol. The goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms and the risk of complications. Depending on the size and composition of a person’s gallstones, there are different …