--- title: "Gallstones: Symptoms, Causes & NHS Treatment | HealthAnswers" description: "Gallstones can cause severe upper-right tummy pain after fatty meals — symptoms, when they need hospital care, and NHS treatment options." url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/gallstones/ robots: noindex --- # Gallstones: Symptoms, Causes & NHS Treatment | HealthAnswers Health A–Z Gallstones can cause severe upper-right tummy pain after fatty meals — symptoms, when they need hospital care, and NHS treatment options. Written by HealthAnswers editorial team Medically reviewed by [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/) Reviewed 3 July 2026 ## Quick answer What are gallstones? Gallstones are small stones, usually made of cholesterol, that form in the gallbladder. Many cause no symptoms and need no treatment, but if a stone blocks a duct it can cause sudden, severe tummy pain. Troublesome gallstones are usually treated by removing the gallbladder. ## Who is this page for? This page is for people in the UK who want a plain-English overview of Gallstones, including when to seek help and what NHS care usually involves. It explains general information, not what is wrong with you personally. ## Who should skip this page? Skip this page if you need a diagnosis, a prescription, or emergency care. It cannot replace a GP, pharmacist, NHS 111 or 999. If you are in immediate danger, call 999; for urgent advice that is not life-threatening, call 111 in England, Scotland or Wales, or use your GP out-of-hours service in Northern Ireland. On this page 5 sections ## Key facts about gallstones - Gallstones form in the gallbladder and are very common. - Many cause no symptoms and need no treatment. - A blocked duct can cause sudden, severe upper tummy pain. - Troublesome gallstones are usually treated with surgery. ## What are gallstones? Gallstones are small, hard stones that form in the gallbladder — a pouch under the liver that stores bile. They are very common, and most never cause any trouble. Problems arise when a stone blocks one of the ducts that carry bile, which can cause significant pain and sometimes infection. ## Symptoms Many gallstones are silent. When they cause symptoms, the typical one is biliary colic: - sudden, intense pain in the upper right or middle of the tummy - pain that may spread to the right shoulder blade - often triggered by fatty food - sometimes with feeling or being sick Pain lasting many hours, fever and shivering, or yellowing of the skin and eyes suggest a complication needing urgent care. ## What causes them Most gallstones form when bile contains too much cholesterol, which crystallises into stones. Risk increases with age and is higher in women, during pregnancy, and in people who are overweight or have lost weight quickly. ## Treatment Symptom-free gallstones usually need no treatment. For gallstones causing pain or complications, the usual treatment is keyhole surgery to remove the gallbladder — a common operation with a good recovery, after which people live entirely normally. In the meantime, a low-fat diet can reduce attacks. ## When to act See a GP about recurring upper-tummy pain. Treat long-lasting severe pain, fever, jaundice or persistent vomiting as urgent — these can signal a blocked duct or infection. ## ! When to see a GP about gallstones See a GP if you have episodes of severe pain in the upper right tummy, especially after fatty meals. Seek **urgent** help — call 111, or 999 if severe — for tummy pain lasting hours, pain with a high temperature and shivering, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), or persistent vomiting, as these can mean a blocked duct or infection needing prompt treatment. ## Common questions about gallstones What do gallstone symptoms feel like? The classic symptom is sudden, intense pain in the upper right or centre of the tummy, sometimes spreading to the shoulder blade, often after a fatty meal. Episodes can last from minutes to hours and may come with nausea. What causes gallstones? Most form when there is too much cholesterol in bile, which hardens into stones. They are more common with age, in women, during pregnancy, and in people who are overweight or have lost weight rapidly. Do gallstones always need treatment? No. Stones that cause no symptoms are usually left alone. Treatment — most often keyhole surgery to remove the gallbladder — is offered when stones cause pain or complications. Can you live without a gallbladder? Yes, perfectly well. The gallbladder stores bile but is not essential; after removal, bile flows directly into the gut. Most people return to a normal diet and life after recovery. ## Sources - [NHS — Gallstones](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gallstones/)