Gallstones: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Gallstones?
A gastroenterologist (a doctor who treats digestive diseases) or a general surgeon (a doctor who operates on the belly) usually treats gallstones. Surgery to remove the gallbladder is the usual treatment. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What are gallstones?
Gallstones are hard deposits that form inside the gallbladder, a small organ under the liver that holds bile, a fluid that helps digest fat. They may be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball.
Symptoms
Many people with gallstones do not have any symptoms. Symptoms start when a stone blocks a bile duct, a tube that carries bile. This can cause a gallbladder attack, sometimes called biliary colic.
A gallbladder attack usually causes pain in the upper right belly, sometimes lasting several hours. Attacks often follow heavy meals and usually occur in the evening or at night.
Other symptoms may include:
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Fever.
- Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, called jaundice.
If a bile duct stays blocked for more than a few hours, complications can develop. Blockage by gallstones may cause swelling or infection in:
- The gallbladder, called cholecystitis.
- The tube that carries bile from the liver, called cholangitis.
- The pancreas, called pancreatitis.
Causes and who gets it
The most common type of gallstone is made of cholesterol. Cholesterol gallstones are not related to the cholesterol level in your blood. The other main type is made of bilirubin and is called a pigment stone. Pigment stones form when there is too much bilirubin in the bile. This is often because too many red blood cells are destroyed.
Gallstones may form if bile has too much cholesterol, too much bilirubin, or not enough bile salts. They also may form if the gallbladder does not empty completely or often enough.
Gallstones are more common in:
- Females.
- Native Americans and people of Hispanic descent.
- People over age 40.
- People who are overweight.
- People with a family history of gallstones.
In most people, gallstones cannot be prevented. In people who are obese, avoiding rapid weight loss may help prevent them.
How doctors diagnose it
Tests that can find gallstones or gallbladder inflammation include:
- An ultrasound of the belly, a scan that uses sound waves.
- A CT scan of the belly.
- ERCP, which uses a thin tube passed through the mouth to look at the bile ducts.
Your health care provider may also order blood tests. These include bilirubin, liver function tests, and a complete blood count.
Treatment
If your gallstones are not causing symptoms, you probably do not need treatment. If you are having a gallbladder attack or other symptoms, contact your doctor. Your doctor may refer you to a gastroenterologist or surgeon for treatment.
The usual treatment for gallstones is surgery to remove the gallbladder, called cholecystectomy. The gallbladder is not an essential organ, so you can live normally without it. Pigment stones usually require surgery.
There are two types of gallbladder removal surgery.
- Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the most common technique. It uses small cuts in the belly, which allow a faster recovery. Many people can go home the same day. You will probably be able to return to normal physical activity in about a week.
- Open cholecystectomy is done when the gallbladder is severely inflamed, infected, or scarred from other operations. You will probably return to normal physical activity after about a month.
Complications of gallbladder surgery are very rare. The most common one is injury to the bile ducts, which can cause infection. You may need more operations to repair it.
Doctors use treatments other than surgery only in special situations, such as when you have cholesterol stones and a serious medical condition that prevents surgery. Even with treatment, gallstones can return.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor right away if you have these symptoms during or after a gallbladder attack:
- Pain in your belly lasting several hours.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Fever, even a low-grade fever, or chills.
- Yellow skin or whites of the eyes, called jaundice.
These symptoms may be signs of a serious infection or inflammation of the gallbladder, liver, or pancreas. Left untreated, blockages of the bile ducts or pancreatic duct can be fatal.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have severe belly pain or pressure, trouble breathing, fainting, or confusion.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care doctor can examine you, order tests, and refer you to a gastroenterologist or surgeon if you need treatment. They can also help with follow-up after treatment.
Common questions
Do gallstones always need treatment?
No. If your gallstones are not causing symptoms, you probably do not need treatment. If you have a gallbladder attack or other symptoms, contact your doctor.
Can you live without a gallbladder?
Yes, you can live normally without a gallbladder, because it is not an essential organ. After it is removed, bile flows from the liver straight into the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine.
Can I prevent gallstones?
Not always. In most people, gallstones cannot be prevented. Eating more foods high in fiber and healthy fats may help. So may keeping a healthy weight with healthy eating and exercise.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
