Gallbladder problems can cause painful attacks, often after a meal. Some people have only 1 attack. Others have many. Common symptoms include:

• Severe, steady pain or aching in the upper right or middle belly (abdomen), back, or right shoulder blade. This can last from 30 minutes to several hours.

• A dull ache under the ribs or breastbone

• Upset stomach (nausea) or vomiting

• A buildup of too much bile in the blood. This causes yellowing of the skin and eyes, dark urine, and itching (jaundice). Call your healthcare provider right away if this occurs.

You are more at risk for gallstones if you:

• Are a woman

• Are obese

• Have a family history
• Are older (the risk goes up with age)

• Have a history of very fast (rapid) weight loss

• Have certain intestinal diseases, such as Crohn’s disease

• Have certain blood diseases, such as sickle cell anemia

• Have a family background that includes Native Americans or Mexican Americans

Ultrasound is often used to look at the gallbladder and measure the size and exact location of gallstone.

Blood tests are used to measure liver enzymes and bilirubin. Both of these may be high if the gallstones are blocking bile flow or irritating the liver.

If your stones are not causing symptoms, you may choose to delay treatment. But if you’ve had 1 or more painful attacks, your healthcare provider will likely advise removing your gallbladder. This prevents more stones from forming and causing attacks. It also helps prevent problems, such as stones passing into the ducts and causing infection or pancreatitis. After the gallbladder is removed, your liver will still make bile to aid digestion.

Hormone changes during pregnancy can make bile more likely to form stones. If your gallbladder needs to be removed, your healthcare provider will talk with you about the timing for surgery. In some cases, it can be delayed until after childbirth. In others, you may have surgery during pregnancy. This helps protect you and your baby’s health.