Overview
Gallstones are solid deposits that form in the gallbladder, usually from substances in bile such as cholesterol or bilirubin. The gallbladder helps store bile, which aids digestion. Gallstones may stay silent for years, or they may block ducts and trigger pain, infection, or inflammation.
Key Symptoms
Many gallstones do not cause any symptoms. When symptoms happen, the most common is sudden pain in the upper right part of the abdomen or in the center below the breastbone, often after eating. The pain may spread to the right shoulder or back and can last from minutes to hours. Nausea, vomiting, fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes, and dark urine can happen if there is blockage or infection.
Causes and Risk Factors
Gallstones can form when bile contains too much cholesterol, too much bilirubin, or when the gallbladder does not empty well. Risk may be higher in people with obesity, diabetes, liver disease, a family history of gallstones, or certain blood disorders. Pregnancy, older age, and rapid weight loss can also raise risk. Some medicines and very low-calorie diets may contribute in some people.
Who Is Affected
Gallstones can affect adults of any background and can also occur in children, though they are more common in adults. They are often found more often in women than in men. Risk also rises with age and in populations where obesity, diabetes, or certain inherited conditions are more common.
Prevention
Not all gallstones can be prevented, but steady healthy habits may lower risk. Gradual weight loss is generally preferred over rapid weight loss, because sudden loss of weight can increase gallstone formation. Eating regular meals and maintaining a healthy body weight may also help. Managing conditions such as diabetes may reduce overall risk.
Diagnosis and Tests
A healthcare professional usually starts with questions about symptoms and an abdominal exam. Ultrasound is a common imaging test used to look for gallstones. Blood tests may help check for infection, blockage, or liver and pancreas problems. In some cases, other imaging tests are used to look more closely at the bile ducts or gallbladder.
Treatment Categories
Treatment depends on whether gallstones are causing symptoms or complications. Gallstones that do not cause symptoms may not need immediate treatment, but painful or complicated gallstones often need medical care. Treatment may include monitoring, procedures to remove stones from bile ducts, or surgery to remove the gallbladder. Hospital care may be needed if there is infection, severe inflammation, or pancreatitis.
Diet and Lifestyle
Diet cannot quickly remove existing gallstones, but everyday eating patterns can support digestive health. Some people notice symptoms after large or fatty meals, so smaller balanced meals may be easier to tolerate. Try to avoid crash diets or fasting for long periods, since these can increase gallstone risk. If you have recurring pain after meals, keep track of triggers and discuss them with a healthcare professional.
When to Seek Medical Care
Seek medical care if you have repeated episodes of upper abdominal pain, pain after meals, nausea or vomiting that keeps coming back, or pain that interferes with eating or daily activities. You should also get checked if you notice yellowing of the skin or eyes, pale stools, dark urine, fever, or unexplained weight loss. These can be signs that a stone is blocking a duct or that another digestive problem is present.
When It May Be an Emergency
Get urgent medical help right away if you have severe abdominal pain that does not improve, fever with chills, yellowing of the skin or eyes, confusion, fainting, trouble breathing, or repeated vomiting. Emergency care is also important if the abdomen becomes very tender or swollen. These symptoms can happen with serious complications such as infection, gallbladder inflammation, bile duct blockage, or pancreatitis.