How is gallstones treated?

A clinician considers your symptoms, examination and imaging results. A stone that stays in the gallbladder may be managed differently from one blocking a bile duct. Keyhole gallbladder surgery, called cholecystectomy, removes the gallbladder so stones cannot form there again; the liver continues to make bile. If a stone is in a bile duct, an endoscopic procedure may be used to clear it. Medication to dissolve selected cholesterol stones is used only in specific situations and may take a long time, with stones potentially returning.

Arrange a medical assessment for repeated upper-abdominal pain, especially after meals, or symptoms such as indigestion, nausea or vomiting. Until assessed, choose smaller meals and notice whether fatty foods trigger discomfort. Do not start a restrictive diet or bile-related medicine without advice. A clinician may discuss blood tests, an ultrasound scan and whether a surgical referral is appropriate. Keeping a record of pain timing, duration and associated symptoms can make that discussion clearer.

Seek urgent medical help for severe or persistent abdominal pain, fever, repeated vomiting, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or pale stools. These features can occur when a stone blocks drainage or inflammation affects the gallbladder, bile ducts or pancreas. Sudden severe pain spreading to the back with vomiting needs prompt assessment because pancreatitis is a possible complication.

Ask whether your stones are causing the symptoms, whether a bile duct is affected, which scan or blood tests are needed, and what recovery after gallbladder surgery would involve. You can also ask how to manage pain while waiting and which symptoms should bring you back urgently.