Gallstones and diarrhoea: what to know

Bile helps the intestine handle dietary fat. If bile reaches the bowel in an altered pattern, stools may become loose or urgent. Diarrhoea may also follow infection, food intolerance, medicines or another bowel condition, so it does not establish that gallstones are the cause. Gallstone attacks more often involve upper abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting. See [Gallstones](/conditions/gallstones/) and [Nausea](/symptoms/nausea/).

Keep drinking fluids and note the frequency, appearance and triggers of your stools. Choose foods you tolerate while symptoms are active and avoid foods that clearly worsen them. Arrange a [GP Consultation](/treatments/consultations-and-assessment/gp-consultation/) if diarrhoea persists, recurs with right-sided upper abdominal pain, or began after a gallbladder procedure. Your clinician may review medicines and decide whether tests are needed.

Seek urgent care for severe abdominal pain, fever, yellow eyes or skin, blood or black stool, repeated [Vomiting](/symptoms/vomiting/), confusion, faintness or signs of dehydration such as very little urine. These features may point to a complication rather than uncomplicated loose stools.

Ask whether bile-related diarrhoea is plausible, whether another cause should be checked, how to replace fluids safely, and whether symptoms could suggest [Pancreatitis](/conditions/pancreatitis/).