Gallstones

Key Points

Overview

Gallstones are small, hard deposits that develop in the gallbladder, a pear-shaped organ located under your liver. The gallbladder stores and releases bile, a digestive fluid, into the small intestine. Gallstones can also be found in the bile ducts, which are tubes connecting the gallbladder to other organs like the liver and pancreas. Many people have gallstones without ever knowing it, as they often don't cause any problems. However, if a gallstone blocks a bile duct, it can lead to sudden and severe pain, known as biliary colic, or other serious complications. When gallstones cause symptoms or complications, treatment is usually required. The most common treatment involves surgery to remove the gallbladder. Other procedures may be used to clear stones from the bile ducts.

Signs and Symptoms

• Severe, constant tummy pain
• Pain lasting over 30 minutes, up to several hours
• Pain in the middle or upper right side of the tummy
• Feeling sick or vomiting
• Yellow skin or whites of eyes (jaundice)
• High temperature, feeling hot, cold, or shivery
• Pain spreading from tummy to back

Things That Increase the Risk

• Being over 40 years old
• Being a woman
• Living with obesity
• Eating a high-fat, low-fiber diet
• Rapid weight loss (e.g., after weight loss surgery)
• Having conditions like diabetes or Crohn's disease

Diagnosis

• Found by chance during scans for other health issues
• Ultrasound scan of the abdomen
• Blood tests to check for complications

Treatment & Management

• No treatment needed if no symptoms are present
• Painkillers for discomfort (e.g., paracetamol, ibuprofen)
• Stronger painkillers for severe pain
• Avoiding foods that trigger symptoms (e.g., fatty foods)
• Eating a low-fat diet
• Surgery to remove the gallbladder (cholecystectomy)
• ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography) to clear bile duct stones

Prevention

• Maintain a healthy body weight
• Eat a balanced diet low in fat and high in fiber
• Avoid rapid weight loss
• Manage existing health conditions like diabetes

Related Diseases

• Cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation)
• Pancreatitis (pancreas inflammation)
• Jaundice
• Biliary colic

Available Treatments

Explore our range of treatment options for Gallstones:

Surgical Options

Learn about surgical procedures available for Gallstones: