Experiences with
GallstonesSymptoms of gallstones
Gallstones often have no symptoms.
But if a gallstone becomes trapped in an opening (duct) inside the gallbladder, it can trigger a sudden, intense pain in your tummy 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).
This can cause:
- persistent pain
- yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
- a high temperature
When gallstones cause symptoms or complications, it's known as gallstone disease or cholelithiasis.
Causes of gallstones
Gallstones are thought to develop because of an imbalance in the chemical make-up of bile inside the gallbladder.
In most cases the levels of cholesterol in bile become too high and the excess cholesterol forms into stones.
Gallstones are very common. It's estimated more than 1 in every 10 adults in the UK has gallstones, although only a minority of people develop symptoms.
You're more at risk of developing gallstones if you're:
- overweight or obese
- female (particularly if you have had children)
- 40 or over (the risk increases as you get older)
Treating gallstones
Treatment is usually only necessary if gallstones are causing:
- symptoms, such as tummy pain
- complications, such as jaundice or acute pancreatitis
In these cases, keyhole surgery to remove the gallbladder may be recommended.
This procedure, known as a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, is relatively simple to perform and has a low risk of complications.
It's possible to lead a normal life without a gallbladder.
Your liver will still produce bile to digest food, but the bile will drip continuously into the small intestine, rather than build up in the gallbladder.
SymptomsMedical treatmentsCausesGallstones can cause sudden episodes of severe tummy pain. But many people with gallstones have no symptoms.
Gallstones do not always need to be treated. If they're causing problems, you may need surgery to remove your gallbladder.
Gallstones are thought to be caused by too much cholesterol in your gallbladder. Women and people who are overweight or over 40 are most at risk.
Related links
HealthUnlocked contains information from NHS Digital, licensed under the current version of the Open Government Licence
