Gallbladder Stones: Symptoms, Causes and When Treatment Is Needed

Gallstones are common and many people may have them without knowing.

For others, gallstones can cause repeated abdominal pain, nausea and digestive discomfort.

What Are Gallstones?

The gallbladder is a small organ located below the liver.

It stores bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver.

Gallstones form when substances in bile harden into small stone-like deposits.

Common Symptoms

Gallstones may cause:

• Pain in the upper right abdomen

• Pain after fatty or heavy meals

• Pain spreading toward the back or shoulder

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Bloating

Pain may occur suddenly and last from several minutes to a few hours.

Can Gallstones Cause Complications?

Yes.

A stone can sometimes block the gallbladder or bile duct and cause:

• Gallbladder inflammation

• Infection

• Jaundice

• Pancreatitis

Seek urgent medical attention if abdominal pain is severe or occurs with fever, repeated vomiting or yellowing of the eyes.

How Are Gallstones Diagnosed?

Ultrasound is commonly used to detect gallstones.

Blood tests may also be required when doctors suspect inflammation, infection or obstruction of the bile ducts.

Do All Gallstones Need Surgery?

No.

Gallstones discovered accidentally and causing no symptoms may not always require immediate surgery.

However, recurrent pain or complications may lead the surgeon to recommend gallbladder removal.

Laparoscopic surgery is commonly used for symptomatic gallstones.

Can Diet Dissolve Gallstones?

Dietary changes may reduce attacks triggered by fatty foods but generally cannot reliably remove established gallstones.

Treatment decisions should therefore be based on symptoms and medical evaluation.

Conclusion

Pain after meals should not always be dismissed as acidity.

Repeated upper abdominal pain, especially after heavy or oily food, may be related to gallstones and deserves proper evaluation.