Gallstones

A medical illustration of a gallbladder with visible stones inside, placed next to a stethoscope and clipboard on a clinical exam table. Clean, informative, and professional look.

Gallstones are hardened deposits of digestive fluid that form in the gallbladder. They can range in size and may cause no symptoms, but when they block bile ducts, they can trigger sudden pain known as a gallbladder attack. Gallstones are common and can often be treated effectively, especially when detected early.

Sudden pain in the upper right abdomen or center of the stomach
Pain between the shoulder blades or in the right shoulder
Nausea or vomiting
Bloating or indigestion after eating fatty meals
Jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes, if bile duct is blocked)

Watchful waiting: If asymptomatic, no immediate treatment may be needed
Medication: Oral bile acids to dissolve stones (rarely used)
Surgery: Laparoscopic gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) is the most common and permanent solution
Dietary changes: Low-fat diet to reduce symptom flare-ups

Imbalance in bile components (cholesterol, bile salts, bilirubin)
Incomplete emptying of the gallbladder
Obesity or rapid weight loss
Pregnancy
High-fat or high-cholesterol diet
Diabetes

Healthcare Providers

Symptoms

Sudden pain in the upper right abdomen or center of the stomach
Pain between the shoulder blades or in the right shoulder
Nausea or vomiting
Bloating or indigestion after eating fatty meals
Jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes, if bile duct is blocked)

Causes

Imbalance in bile components (cholesterol, bile salts, bilirubin)
Incomplete emptying of the gallbladder
Obesity or rapid weight loss
Pregnancy
High-fat or high-cholesterol diet
Diabetes

Treatments

Watchful waiting: If asymptomatic, no immediate treatment may be needed
Medication: Oral bile acids to dissolve stones (rarely used)
Surgery: Laparoscopic gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) is the most common and permanent solution
Dietary changes: Low-fat diet to reduce symptom flare-ups

Gallstones

Healthcare Providers

Symptoms

Causes

Treatments

Specialties That Treat This Condition

Related Conditions

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