Gallstones: Causes, Signs & Management
Gallstones are hardened deposits that form inside the gallbladder. Many cause no symptoms, but when a stone blocks bile flow it can trigger sudden upper abdominal pain and sometimes serious complications.
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🟣 Biliary Pain
➟ Gallstones can cause sudden, steady pain in the right upper abdomen or upper middle abdomen
➟ The pain may become intense and typically lasts from about 30 minutes to several hours
➟ Pain often begins when a stone temporarily blocks the gallbladder outlet
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🟣 Pain After Meals
➟ Symptoms may occur after large or fatty meals
➟ Eating stimulates the gallbladder to contract, which can trigger pain when stones obstruct bile flow
➟ Not everyone with gallstones has food-related symptoms
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🟣 Pain to the Shoulder or Back
➟ Pain may spread toward the right shoulder blade or upper back
➟ This referred pain is common during a gallstone attack
➟ Persistent severe pain should be medically assessed
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🟣 Nausea or Vomiting
➟ Nausea and vomiting can occur during a painful gallstone episode
➟ These symptoms often accompany biliary colic
➟ Repeated vomiting or inability to keep fluids down needs prompt medical review
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🟣 Bloating or Indigestion
➟ Some people report bloating, fullness, or indigestion after meals
➟ These symptoms are not specific to gallstones and can occur with many digestive conditions
➟ Typical gallstone pain is usually more helpful diagnostically than bloating alone
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🟣 Cholesterol Stones
➟ Most gallstones in the US and UK are cholesterol stones
➟ They can form when bile contains more cholesterol than it can keep dissolved
➟ Pigment stones can also occur, particularly in some blood or liver conditions
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🟣 Who Is at Higher Risk?
➟ Risk increases with age, obesity, rapid weight loss, pregnancy, and female sex
➟ Family history can also increase risk
➟ Diabetes and some blood disorders are associated with gallstone formation
➟ Certain medicines may also contribute in some people
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🟣 Possible Complications
➟ Acute cholecystitis — inflammation of the gallbladder
➟ Bile-duct obstruction — a stone blocks the common bile duct
➟ Jaundice — yellowing of the skin or eyes from blocked bile flow
➟ Cholangitis — infection of the bile ducts
➟ Pancreatitis — inflammation of the pancreas if a stone blocks the pancreatic drainage area
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🟣 How Gallstones Are Diagnosed
➟ Abdominal ultrasound is the usual first test
➟ Blood tests may check liver function and signs of infection or inflammation
➟ MRI/MRCP, CT, or endoscopic tests may be needed if a bile-duct stone is suspected
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🟣 Management
➟ Gallstones that cause no symptoms often do not need treatment
➟ Pain relief may be used during symptomatic attacks
➟ Recurrent symptomatic gallstones are commonly treated with laparoscopic gallbladder removal
➟ Stones in the common bile duct may need removal using ERCP
➟ Complications such as infection, jaundice, or pancreatitis require prompt medical treatment
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🟣 Seek Urgent Medical Care If
➟ Severe upper abdominal pain lasts for several hours or keeps worsening
➟ You develop fever or chills
➟ Your skin or eyes become yellow
➟ You have persistent vomiting
➟ You develop very dark urine or unusually pale stools
➟ Pain is associated with feeling faint, confused, or very unwell
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Medical disclaimer: This information is for general educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Persistent or severe gallstone symptoms, fever, jaundice, or repeated vomiting should be assessed promptly by a qualified healthcare professional.