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Gallstones
Gallstones are hard lumps that form in the gallbladder, usually from cholesterol or bile pigments. Many cause no symptoms, but a stone blocking a duct causes sudden pain.
Causes & risk factors
- High cholesterol in the bile
- Being overweight or rapid weight loss
- Female sex, pregnancy and increasing age
- Family history
- Diabetes and a high-fat diet
Common symptoms
- Sudden pain in the upper right tummy, often after fatty meals
- Pain spreading to the back or right shoulder
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bloating and indigestion
- Yellowing of the eyes/skin if a stone blocks the bile duct
- Fever if the gallbladder is infected
Tests & diagnosis
- Abdominal ultrasound (the main test)
- LFT
- CBC (infection)
- MRCP or CT scan if a duct stone is suspected
Treatment & management
- Silent stones (no symptoms) often need no treatment
- Keyhole surgery to remove the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) for symptoms
- Pain relief and, if infected, antibiotics
- A stone stuck in the bile duct may be removed by endoscopy (ERCP)
- A lower-fat diet can reduce attacks while awaiting surgery
When to see a doctor urgently
- Severe tummy pain lasting more than a few hours
- Yellow eyes or skin (jaundice) with dark urine
- High fever and chills with tummy pain
- Persistent vomiting
Frequently asked questions
Can I live without a gallbladder?
Yes. The gallbladder only stores bile; after removal, bile flows straight from the liver to the gut and most people digest normally, perhaps with a lighter-fat diet at first.
Do gallstones dissolve with medicine?
Dissolving medicines work slowly and only for certain small cholesterol stones, and stones often return. Surgery is the usual, definitive treatment for symptomatic stones.
Explore more
Sources & further reading
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- MedlinePlus — U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
Reviewed by Dr. Sanjay Anbu, MBBS. MedDroid is an AI medical assistant and can make mistakes. It provides general health information, not a diagnosis or medical advice — always consult a qualified clinician. In an emergency, contact your local emergency number immediately.