Gallstones

Gallstones are small stones, usually made of cholesterol, that form in the gallbladder. In most cases they don’t cause any symptoms and don’t need to be treated.

However, if a gallstone becomes trapped in a duct (opening) inside the gallbladder it can trigger a sudden intense abdominal pain that usually lasts between 1 and 5 hours. This type of abdominal pain is known as biliary colic.

Some people with gallstones can also develop complications, such as inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis), which can cause:

persistent pain jaundice  a fever

When gallstones cause symptoms or complications, it’s known as gallstone disease or cholelithiasis. Read more about:

symptoms of gallstones complications of gallstones

Symptoms

Most cases of gallstones don’t cause any symptoms. But if a gallstone blocks one of the bile ducts, it can cause sudden, severe abdominal pain, known as biliary colic.

Other symptoms may develop if the blockage is more severe or develops in another part of the digestive system.


In a small number of people, gallstones can cause more serious problems if they obstruct the flow of bile for longer periods or move into other organs (such as the pancreas or small bowel).

If this happens, you may develop:

a high temperature of 38C (100.4F) or above more persistent pain a rapid heartbeat yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice) itchy skin diarrhoea chills or shivering attacks confusion a loss of appetite

Doctors refer to this more severe condition as ‘complicated gallstone disease’.

Read more about the complications of gallstones.