What does a gallbladder attack feel like?
Biliary colic is a steady, intense pain in the upper-right or middle upper abdomen lasting from 30 minutes to several hours, often after a fatty meal and sometimes spreading to the right shoulder. Fever or pain lasting more than six hours suggests cholecystitis; yellow eyes suggest a blocked duct; severe pain through to the back may be pancreatitis—go to the ER.
What causes gallstones, and how are they treated?
Stones form when bile holds too much cholesterol or the gallbladder doesn't empty well. Risk rises with being female, over 40, overweight, pregnancy and rapid weight loss (Lammert et al., 2016). Silent stones are usually left alone, but after a painful attack, removing the gallbladder laparoscopically is standard. You can live normally without it—the liver keeps making bile.
This article is general health information and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. If symptoms persist, see a doctor.
FAQ
- Will I have digestive problems after gallbladder removal?
- Some people have loose stools after fatty meals for a while, but most adjust.
- Can gallstones be dissolved?
- Ursodiol can dissolve small cholesterol stones, but it's slow and stones often return.
Sources reviewed: 2026-10-25
References
- Lammert, F., et al. (2016). Gallstones. Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 2, 16024.