Cholelithiasis without acute cholecystitis

Gallstones are hardened deposits in the gallbladder. Without acute cholecystitis, a scan or assessment has not shown the swelling and sustained inflammation associated with an acute attack at that time. Stones may be silent, or they may cause episodes of biliary pain when they temporarily affect the gallbladder outlet.

Indigestion, nausea and upper-abdominal discomfort can have many causes. A clinician uses the pain pattern, examination, blood tests and ultrasound to decide whether the stones explain your symptoms.

If you have no symptoms, your clinician may recommend observation rather than immediate treatment. If attacks recur, discuss whether gallbladder removal or another plan is suitable. Note the timing, duration and location of pain, along with food triggers, nausea or vomiting. Keep regular balanced meals unless your clinician gives different advice.

Do not self-treat repeated attacks with unprescribed medicines. Read the [Gallstones](/conditions/gallstones/) overview and arrange a [GP Consultation](/treatments/consultations-and-assessment/gp-consultation/) when symptoms persist or interfere with eating.

Seek urgent help if pain becomes severe or persistent, or if it occurs with fever, chills, repeated vomiting, yellow skin or eyes, faintness or confusion. This pattern can suggest acute inflammation, bile-duct blockage or pancreatitis, even if an earlier scan did not show acute cholecystitis.

Sudden worsening deserves assessment rather than waiting for a scheduled review. Learn about [Indigestion](/symptoms/indigestion/) and [Vomiting](/symptoms/vomiting/) as related symptoms.

Ask whether the stones are likely to explain your symptoms, whether any duct is affected, what a typical attack looks like, and when elective treatment should be considered. Confirm which symptoms require same-day care and how to manage your regular medicines during an episode.