Gallstone pain usually hits on the right side under your ribs and can spread to your shoulder or back. It often comes after a heavy or fatty meal and can start as a dull ache then turn sharp. Many people call it biliary colic: the gallbladder contracts against a stone and sends a wave of pain that lasts from 30 minutes to several hours.
If you’ve felt this kind of pain before, you learn the pattern: it can wake you at night, get worse after fatty foods, and come in unpredictable bursts. Don’t ignore repeated episodes—each attack raises the chance of complications like gallbladder inflammation, blocked ducts, or pancreatitis.
For short-term relief, try these practical steps: lie on your left side or sit upright, apply a warm compress to the painful area, and sip clear fluids to stay hydrated. Over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen often help—follow the label and check with a pharmacist or doctor if you have other medical conditions. Avoid fatty meals until you get checked, since fats can trigger another attack.
Rest helps. If the pain eases within a few hours and you feel fine afterward, book a primary care visit to discuss testing. If the pain is severe, lasts more than a few hours, or returns quickly, get medical care right away.
Your doctor will usually start with an abdominal ultrasound—it's fast, safe, and finds most stones. Blood tests check liver function and signs of infection or pancreatitis. In unclear cases, a HIDA scan or MRI may be recommended, and an ERCP procedure can diagnose and treat stones stuck in the bile duct.
Treatment depends on symptoms. If stones don’t cause pain, you might not need treatment. Recurrent pain or complications typically lead to surgery: laparoscopic cholecystectomy (removing the gallbladder) is the most common and usually safe. If surgery isn’t an option, medications like ursodeoxycholic acid can dissolve some cholesterol stones slowly, but this is less common and takes months or years.
Stones in the common bile duct may need an endoscopic procedure (ERCP) to remove them and relieve blockage. If infection is present, hospitals treat it urgently with antibiotics and sometimes drainage.
Want to reduce your risk? Keep a steady, healthy weight—avoid crash diets. Eat more fiber, choose healthy fats (olive oil, nuts) instead of fried or processed foods, and stay active. These steps lower gallstone risk over time.
If you’re unsure what’s causing your pain, call your doctor. Sudden high fever, yellow skin or eyes (jaundice), persistent vomiting, or severe ongoing pain are red flags—get emergency care. With the right diagnosis, most people recover fully and live well without a gallbladder.
In my recent blog post, I shared some effective strategies to manage gallstone pain during a flare-up. I emphasized the importance of a healthy diet, rich in fiber and low in fat, to help reduce symptoms. I also highlighted the role of regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight in preventing gallstone flare-ups. Moreover, I discussed over-the-counter pain medications and using heat packs as temporary relief. Lastly, I urged readers to consult with their doctors for personalized treatment plans and to consider surgical options if necessary.