What Is a Gallbladder Attack?

If you’re feeling pain in the right upper part of your stomach, you may wonder if it’s a gallbladder attack.

This happens when the bile stored in your gallbladder thickens into “sludge” or hardens into pebble-like pieces called gallstones (cholelithiasis) and causes a buildup or blockage in your biliary system. Blockages can then create a buildup of pressure in your gallbladder, called biliary colic, or progress into cholecystitis (infection of the gallbladder lining).

Gastroenterologist Christine Lee, MD, explains some of the classic symptoms to watch out for.

Signs and symptoms of a gallbladder attack

So, what does a gallbladder attack feel like? Dr. Lee says certain signs may indicate you’re dealing with a gallbladder issue, including:

• Pain in your upper right abdomen: The most common gallbladder attack symptom is pain that occurs under your right ribcage area, where your gallbladder is located. “That pain can also radiate to the back, shoulder or up into the chest area,” she says.
• Discomfort after meals: Gallbladder attacks typically strike about 15 to 20 minutes after eating, especially if you’ve just had a greasy, oily or fatty meal. The pain may last 30 minutes to four hours after you’ve eaten.
• Pain that wakes you up at night: While gallbladder attacks are common after eating, that’s not always the case. “The pain can be spontaneous and not necessarily restricted to mealtime,” Dr. Lee clarifies. “It might even awaken you from sleep.”
• Consistency in symptoms: Gallbladder attacks often seem to hit at similar times (post-meal) in a similar location with similar pain. You may even notice changes in your bowel habits.

Dr. Lee adds that gallstones can cause other symptoms, too, like fever, nausea and vomiting. Or you may experience these symptoms but not have any pain. After all, everybody (and every body) is different.

“The way all these symptoms present varies from person to person,” she says. “You may have all of these symptoms or a uniquely different set of symptoms.”

How to stop gallbladder attacks

If you’re experiencing pain and think it may be related to your gallbladder, Dr. Lee suggests the following pain management for a gallbladder attack:

• Avoid fatty, greasy or oily foods.
• Stay hydrated.

At this time, there aren’t any medications that can effectively treat gallstones, though your healthcare provider may suggest pain medication. If you develop cholecystitis, they may need to prescribe antibiotics.

Again, pay attention to what you eat. Foods that are high in saturated fats, oils, grease or butter can contribute to a gallbladder attack.

When to see a doctor

In general, abdominal pain can have many causes (including heartburn, a peptic ulcer, constipation, appendicitis, kidney stones, UTIs or even a heart attack), so it’s important to tread carefully. Seek emergency care if your pain gets worse, becomes severe or is accompanied by:

• Sweating
• Shortness of breath
• Fevers
• Bloody vomit
• Bloody stool

And if you suspect you’re experiencing gallbladder attacks, see a gastroenterologist to help you get to the bottom of it.

It can also be helpful to keep a record of when and where your symptoms occur, so when your healthcare provider takes your medical history, you can share this information with them to help them better understand what you’ve been experiencing. If your doctor suspects gallstones as the culprit, they may order tests for confirmation.

Your doctor may advise gallbladder removal surgery (cholecystectomy). While that might sound like a dramatic step, the reality is that you don’t actually need your gallbladder to live a happy, healthy life.

“Your gallbladder is not essential for life,” Dr. Lee clarifies. “The gallbladder, thankfully, is not a vital organ.”