What happens with gallstones depends on whether they stay silent or block a duct. Many people never notice them, but if a stone gets stuck, it can cause sudden right-upper-belly pain, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes jaundice; serious complications can include gallbladder inflammation or pancreatitis.

What they feel like

  • No symptoms at all: this is common, and many gallstones are found by chance.
  • Biliary colic: a gallstone blocks flow briefly, causing strong pain that can last from 30 minutes to several hours.
  • Possible extra symptoms: pain after fatty meals, fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or pale stools.

When it gets urgent

Seek urgent medical help if the pain is sudden and severe, lasts more than 30 minutes, spreads to your back, or comes with vomiting, fever, or jaundice. Those can point to a blocked bile duct, cholecystitis, or pancreatitis, which need prompt treatment.

Usual treatment

If gallstones are not causing symptoms, doctors often just monitor them. If they cause repeated pain or complications, the most common treatment is gallbladder removal surgery; if a stone is in the bile duct, a procedure such as ERCP may be used to clear it.

Simple example

Someone may eat a heavy meal, then get sharp pain under the right ribs for a couple of hours, feel nauseated, and then improve once the stone moves. If the pain does not settle or comes with fever or yellowing, that is more concerning.

Bottom line

Gallstones can do nothing for years, or they can cause painful attacks and more serious blockage problems. The key sign to take seriously is persistent or severe upper-abdominal pain, especially with fever, vomiting, or jaundice.