Gallstones: what they are and why they matter

Surprising fact: about 10–15% of adults have gallstones, but most never notice them. Gallstones are hard bits that form in the gallbladder when bile components, usually cholesterol or bilirubin, clump together. Some people get small grains; others form a single large stone. Whether they cause trouble depends on size, location, and whether they block a duct.

Symptoms and when to see a doctor

Many gallstones cause no symptoms. Trouble starts when a stone blocks the gallbladder or bile ducts. Classic signs are a sudden, intense pain under the right ribs or in the upper middle belly that can last 30 minutes to several hours. The pain often follows a fatty meal and may wake you at night. Watch for fever, yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice), dark urine, pale stools, or persistent vomiting—those are red flags that need urgent medical attention.

If you have mild, infrequent pain, book a routine visit with your GP. If pain is severe, comes with fever or jaundice, go to the emergency room. Quick treatment can prevent serious complications like cholecystitis (gallbladder infection), pancreatitis, or cholangitis (bile duct infection).

How doctors check and common treatments

Ultrasound is the first test—fast, cheap, and accurate for gallstones. Blood tests check for infection or blocked bile ducts. Sometimes doctors use CT scans, HIDA scans, or an ERCP (endoscopic procedure) when the stone is suspected in the bile duct.

Treatment depends on symptoms. If stones are silent, no treatment is needed—just monitor. For painful or complicated cases, the usual fix is laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal). It’s common, safe, and most people go home the same day or after one night. If a stone is stuck in the bile duct, an ERCP can remove it without major surgery. For people who can’t have surgery, a doctor might try ursodeoxycholic acid to dissolve small cholesterol stones, but this takes months and doesn’t always work.

At home, short-term relief can include paracetamol or ibuprofen if you can take them, plus a low-fat meal to avoid triggering more pain. Don’t try strong painkillers or home remedies without advice if you have severe symptoms.

Preventing gallstones focuses on steady, healthy habits: lose weight slowly (rapid weight loss raises risk), eat more fiber and vegetables, avoid very high-fat and very low-calorie diets, keep active, and manage cholesterol. Women on hormone therapy or people with diabetes and obesity should discuss risk with their doctor—some situations raise the chance of stones.

Gallstones are common and usually manageable. Know the warning signs, get checked with an ultrasound if you have pain, and talk to your doctor about the safest treatment for your situation.