Gallstones are hardened deposits that form in the gallbladder. Many cause no symptoms and need no treatment. Problems occur when a stone blocks the flow of bile, causing pain, inflammation or infection in the gallbladder, bile ducts or pancreas.
Symptoms
Biliary colic is a steady, often severe pain in the upper right or middle abdomen. It commonly lasts longer than 30 minutes and may continue for several hours. Pain can spread to the back or right shoulder and may be accompanied by nausea or vomiting.
Short, vague indigestion alone does not confirm gallstones. Other abdominal, heart and lung conditions can cause similar symptoms.
Complications
- Acute cholecystitis: persistent pain and inflammation of the gallbladder, often with fever.
- Cholangitis: infection in a blocked bile duct, which may cause fever, jaundice and abdominal pain.
- Pancreatitis: severe upper abdominal pain that often spreads to the back, with vomiting.
- Obstructive jaundice: yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools and itching.
Diagnosis
Assessment usually includes an examination, blood tests and an abdominal ultrasound. MRI or an endoscopic procedure may be needed when a stone in the common bile duct is suspected.
Treatment
Gallstones found by chance and causing no symptoms often require no treatment. Recurrent or complicated gallstone disease is commonly treated by keyhole surgery to remove the gallbladder. The body can function without it.
Stones in the common bile duct may be removed with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, known as ERCP. Pain relief and antibiotics may be used when appropriate, but antibiotics do not remove gallstones.
Diet while awaiting assessment or treatment
Avoiding foods that reliably trigger pain may help while waiting for treatment. A very restrictive or fat-free diet is not necessary for everyone. Rapid weight loss can increase gallstone risk, so weight changes should be gradual and nutritionally balanced.
When to seek urgent help
Get urgent medical help for severe or persistent abdominal pain, pain spreading to the back with vomiting, fever or chills, jaundice, confusion, fainting or rapidly worsening illness. These can indicate pancreatitis, cholecystitis or cholangitis and require prompt treatment.
Sources
Reviewed: 28 August 2026