Gallstones

Stones forming in the gallbladder. Usually silent, and when they are not, the pain is memorable.

What it is

Gallstones form when bile becomes unbalanced and hardens into stones. Around one in ten adults in the UK has them, and most never know.

The trouble starts when a stone blocks something. Biliary colic is a stone temporarily blocking the duct: severe pain for a few hours, then relief. Cholecystitis is inflammation and infection of the gallbladder, which needs admission. A stone in the bile duct causes jaundice, and can cause pancreatitis, which is a serious emergency.

Fatty food triggers attacks because fat is what makes the gallbladder squeeze.

Signs you might notice

Sudden severe pain in the upper right abdomen, often spreading to the back or right shoulder blade, lasting one to several hours.

Often at night, and often after a fatty meal.

Nausea and vomiting.

Fever with the pain suggests infection.

Yellow skin or eyes, pale stools, dark urine: a blocked bile duct, and urgent.

Severe pain going through to the back with vomiting may be pancreatitis. That is a 999 matter.

How it can affect day-to-day life

The recurrent-attack phase is where quality of life goes. People restrict fat progressively, dread eating out, and often wait months for surgery while having attacks.

The decision to operate is usually about frequency and severity rather than the stones themselves, and being clear about that helps people advocate for themselves.

In older people, gallbladder infection can present as confusion or as simply being unwell, without classic pain.

Supporting someone well

Keep fat low during a symptomatic phase, and eat regularly rather than skipping meals, which also encourages stone formation.

Seek help for pain lasting more than a few hours, or any pain with fever or jaundice.

Ask about the surgical waiting list and about what to do in the meantime, including having a plan for an attack.

Recognise pancreatitis: severe constant pain boring through to the back, with vomiting, is an emergency.

After gallbladder removal, expect some looser bowels initially, and reintroduce fat gradually.

Where to get help

A GP can arrange an ultrasound and refer to surgery.

Jaundice, fever with pain, or severe constant pain needs urgent or emergency assessment.

Guts UK provide clear patient information.