Many people have heard of gallstones, often because a friend or family member has had problems with them. Yet the gallbladder is one of those organs most of us rarely think about until something goes wrong.
Gallstones are actually very common, particularly as we get older. In many cases they cause no symptoms at all. For others, however, they can lead to pain, digestive problems, and occasionally more serious complications.
Understanding what the gallbladder does, why gallstones form, and when treatment may be needed can help people recognise symptoms early and make informed decisions about their health.
What is the gallbladder and what does it do?
The gallbladder is a small pouch-shaped organ that sits just underneath the liver on the right side of the upper abdomen.
Its main role is to store bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver. Bile helps the body break down fats during digestion.
The liver continuously produces bile, but the body does not always need it immediately. The gallbladder acts as a storage reservoir. When we eat a meal, especially one containing fat, the body releases hormones that cause the gallbladder to contract and release bile into the digestive system.
Although the gallbladder plays a helpful role in digestion, it is not essential for survival. This is why people can usually live perfectly normal lives even after the gallbladder has been removed.
What are gallstones?
Gallstones are small solid deposits that form inside the gallbladder.
They develop when the chemical balance of bile changes. Bile contains a mixture of substances including cholesterol, bile salts and other compounds. If the proportions of these ingredients become unbalanced, tiny crystals can begin to form.
Over time these crystals can grow into stones. Some remain very small, like grains of sand, while others can grow much larger.
Many people have gallstones without ever knowing it. They are often discovered incidentally during scans for other health issues.
Who is more likely to develop gallstones?
Gallstones can occur in anyone, but certain factors increase the likelihood of developing them.
Age is one of the most recognised risk factors, particularly over the age of forty. Women are also more likely than men to develop gallstones, partly due to hormonal influences.
Body weight can also play a role. Higher body mass index is associated with an increased risk of gallstones.
Rapid weight loss is another recognised factor. When the body loses weight quickly, fat stores are broken down and additional cholesterol is released into bile. This can increase the likelihood of stone formation.
There is also growing evidence that certain weight loss medications, including GLP-1 receptor agonists used to treat diabetes and obesity, may increase the risk of gallstones in some people. This appears to be related both to rapid weight loss and to changes in how the gallbladder empties bile.
What symptoms can gallstones cause?
Many people with gallstones experience no symptoms at all.
However, when symptoms do occur, the most common is a type of abdominal pain known as biliary colic.
This pain is typically felt in the upper right side of the abdomen and often appears after eating, particularly after fatty or rich meals.
Other symptoms may include nausea, digestive discomfort, or pain that spreads to the back or shoulder.
The reason meals can trigger pain is that eating fatty foods stimulates the gallbladder to contract. If gallstones are present, this contraction can cause irritation or blockage, leading to pain.
When gallstones become more serious
Although many gallstones cause only occasional discomfort, they can sometimes lead to more serious complications.
One possible complication is inflammation or infection of the gallbladder, known as cholecystitis.
Gallstones can also move from the gallbladder into the bile ducts. If this happens, they may block the flow of bile, which can lead to jaundice or infection.
In some cases, stones can block the pancreatic duct and trigger pancreatitis, which is a potentially serious condition requiring urgent medical care.
For this reason, repeated or severe abdominal pain should always be assessed by a healthcare professional.
How are gallstones diagnosed?
Gallstones are usually diagnosed through relatively straightforward tests.
Doctors will often begin with blood tests to check for signs of infection or bile duct blockage.
An ultrasound scan of the abdomen is the most common imaging test used to identify gallstones. Ultrasound is painless, widely available, and very effective at detecting stones within the gallbladder.
These tests together usually provide enough information for doctors to confirm whether gallstones are present and whether treatment is needed.
Can gallstones be dissolved?
Despite various remedies circulating online, there is currently limited evidence that gallstones can be reliably dissolved through diet, supplements, or medications.
Adopting a healthier diet and reducing fatty foods may help some people reduce symptom frequency, but these approaches generally do not remove existing stones.
If gallstones continue to cause symptoms or complications, medical treatment may be required.
When is surgery recommended?
When gallstones cause repeated pain or complications, the most common treatment is removal of the gallbladder. This procedure is called a cholecystectomy.
Unlike kidney stones, gallstones cannot usually be broken up or removed individually. Removing the gallbladder prevents further stones from forming.
Today, most gallbladder operations are performed using keyhole or laparoscopic surgery. This involves several small incisions rather than one large surgical cut.
Many patients go home the same day or within 24 hours, and most return to normal daily activities within a few weeks.
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks, so it is important to discuss the options with a specialist before making a decision.
What happens after gallbladder removal?
One reassuring fact for many people is that life after gallbladder removal is usually very normal.
The liver continues to produce bile, which flows directly into the digestive system rather than being stored in the gallbladder.
Most people can eat normally after recovery. Doctors still encourage maintaining a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle, but there are usually no strict long-term dietary restrictions.
When should you seek medical advice?
Abdominal discomfort can have many different causes. However, medical advice should be sought if someone experiences repeated pain in the upper abdomen, especially if it occurs after meals.
Other warning signs include fever, persistent nausea or vomiting, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or severe abdominal pain.
Early diagnosis can help prevent complications and allow appropriate treatment to be offered if necessary.
Supporting gallbladder health
Although gallstones cannot always be prevented, maintaining a healthy lifestyle may reduce risk.
This includes maintaining a healthy body weight, avoiding rapid weight loss where possible, eating a balanced diet, limiting highly processed foods, and staying physically active.
These habits not only support gallbladder health but also contribute to overall well-being and reduce the risk of many other chronic conditions.
References
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
Gallstone disease: diagnosis and management (CG188).
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg188
NHS.
Gallstones.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gallstones
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Gallstones overview.
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gallstones
Lammert F, Gurusamy K et al.
Gallstones.
Nature Reviews Disease Primers. 2016.
Medical disclaimer
This article is intended for general information only and does not replace professional medical advice. If you have symptoms or concerns about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.