Gallstones – Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Common symptoms of gallstones include upper abdominal pain, nausea, bloating, and pain after eating, particularly fatty foods.
What are the symptoms of gallstones?
Many gallstones cause no symptoms and are discovered incidentally, but when symptoms occur they typically include:
upper abdominal pain
pain after eating, especially fatty meals
nausea or bloating
discomfort under the right rib cage
recurrent episodes of pain (biliary colic)
What are gallstones?
Gallstones are the most common cause of gallbladder disease and occur when bile becomes imbalanced, forming solid deposits inside the gallbladder. While many people have no symptoms, gallstones are the leading cause of upper abdominal pain (biliary colic) and may lead to complications requiring surgical treatment.
What is the treatment for gallstones?
Gallstones do not usually disappear on their own. If they are not causing symptoms, treatment may not be required. However, if gallstones cause pain or complications, gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) is the definitive treatment and is commonly performed using minimally invasive (keyhole) surgery.
When is surgery needed for gallstones?
Surgery is typically recommended when gallstones cause ongoing pain, inflammation, or complications.
👉 Learn more about Gallbladder Removal (cholecystectomy) Surgery in Sydney
Experiencing gallstone symptoms? Call 02 9565 5514 to book a consultation with Dr David Joseph. Urgent appointments are available.
How gallstones form
Gallstones develop when bile — the digestive fluid produced by the liver — becomes imbalanced and forms crystals that gradually harden into stones.
They can range in size from tiny grains to larger stones that fill much of the gallbladder.
Gallstones are the most common cause of gallbladder disease.
Risk factors for gallstones
Gallstones form when bile contains too much cholesterol, bilirubin, or when the gallbladder does not empty efficiently.
Risk factors include:
Obesity
Female sex
Increasing age
Family history
Rapid weight loss
Pregnancy
Certain metabolic conditions
Not everyone with risk factors will develop gallstones, and some patients develop stones without obvious risk factors.
Understanding gallstone symptoms
Many gallstones cause no symptoms and are discovered incidentally on imaging.
When symptoms occur, they may include upper abdominal pain, pain after fatty meals, nausea or bloating, discomfort under the right rib cage and recurrent episodes of pain (biliary colic).
Symptomatic gallstones tend to recur and may increase in frequency over time.
For more information about gallstone-related pain, see our Biliary Colic in Sydney page.
Gallstones vs Biliary Colic
Gallstones and biliary colic are often confused, but they are not the same.
Gallstones are solid deposits that form in the gallbladder, while biliary colic refers to the pain caused when a gallstone temporarily blocks the gallbladder outlet.
Not all gallstones cause symptoms. However, when pain occurs, it is typically described as biliary colic.
This pain often develops after eating, particularly fatty meals, and may last from 30 minutes to several hours.
👉 Learn more about biliary colic and gallbladder pain
When do gallstones require treatment?
Gallstones usually do not resolve on their own. Treatment is recommended when they cause symptoms or complications such as:
Recurrent biliary colic
Acute cholecystitis
Gallstone pancreatitis
Bile duct obstruction
Persistent upper abdominal symptoms
The standard treatment is laparoscopic gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) surgery.
Complications of Gallstones
Untreated symptomatic gallstones may lead to:
Acute cholecystitis
Inflammation and infection of the gallbladder
Cholangitis
Infection of the bile ducts
Gallstone pancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas due to blocked ducts
Early treatment reduces the risk of emergency complications.
How Are Gallstones Diagnosed?
Gallstones are usually diagnosed with:
Abdominal ultrasound
Liver function blood tests
If bile duct stones are suspected, further imaging may be required.
Book a Consultation
If you have been diagnosed with gallstones or are experiencing ongoing upper abdominal pain, assessment can help determine whether treatment is required.
Please call 02 9565 5514 to book. Urgent consultations are available.
Related Upper Gastrointestinal Conditions
Gallbladder disease may coexist with other abdominal wall or metabolic conditions that influence symptoms, surgical planning, and recovery.
Some patients may also require assessment for abdominal wall hernias, including:
Patients may require coordinated management if both gallbladder and hernia surgery are indicated.
Obesity & Bariatric Conditions – excess weight increases the risk of gallstones and biliary symptoms. Learn more about Obesity in Sydney and Bariatric (Weight Loss) Surgery.
A comprehensive specialist assessment ensures all contributing conditions are identified and appropriately managed.
Gallstones FAQs
What causes gallstones?
Gallstones form when bile becomes imbalanced, usually due to excess cholesterol or poor gallbladder emptying. This leads to crystals forming and gradually hardening into stones.
Where is gallstone pain felt?
Gallstone pain is usually felt in the upper right abdomen, under the rib cage. It may also radiate to the back or right shoulder blade.
What triggers gallstone attacks?
Gallstone attacks are often triggered after eating, particularly fatty meals, which cause the gallbladder to contract.
Are all gallstones painful?
No. Some gallstones are asymptomatic and may not require treatment.
Can gallstones go away without surgery?
No. Gallstones usually remain once formed and may cause recurrent symptoms over time.
Can gallstones be treated without surgery?
Gallstones that do not cause symptoms may not require treatment. However, symptomatic gallstones usually require gallbladder removal for long-term relief.
What is the best treatment for symptomatic gallstones?
For symptomatic gallstones, laparoscopic gallbladder removal is the most reliable treatment.
Can gallstones return after gallbladder removal?
No. Once the gallbladder is removed, gallstones cannot reform because the organ that produces them is no longer present.
