Medical management of gallstones

Gallstones are solid deposits that form in the gallbladder. Some remain silent, while others cause episodes of upper abdominal pain, often after eating, with indigestion, nausea or vomiting. A clinician may examine you and arrange blood tests or imaging to look for stones, bile-duct blockage or inflammation. Factors such as obesity can be relevant to risk and treatment planning, but symptoms still need individual assessment.

Arrange a GP consultation if symptoms recur or interfere with meals and daily activities. Keep a note of pain location, timing, food triggers, nausea, vomiting, fever and any yellowing of the skin or eyes. Until assessed, choose smaller meals if large or fatty meals trigger discomfort, and follow advice about pain relief. Symptomatic or complicated gallstones may need specialist treatment, while stones found without symptoms may be monitored.

Seek urgent care for severe or persistent abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, fever or chills, yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, or marked tenderness. These features can accompany infection, a blocked bile duct or pancreatitis and should not be managed at home. Emergency help is appropriate if pain is sudden and intense, you feel faint, or you cannot keep fluids down.

Ask whether your symptoms fit gallstones, what tests are appropriate, whether the gallbladder or bile ducts appear affected, and whether observation or specialist treatment is suitable. Ask which foods, medicines and warning signs matter while you wait.