How To Recognize the Symptoms of a Gallbladder Attack

Ruth Jessen Hickman, MD
·5 min read

Medically reviewed by Jay N. Yepuri, MD

A gallbladder attack—clinically known as biliary colic—causes sharp pain in the upper part of the abdomen when a gallstone is passing through your gallbladder and blocking a bile duct. Your gallbladder is an organ that is responsible for releasing bile to help your digestive system break down fatty foods. Pain related to a gallbladder attack can usually last a few hours before going away.

Gallstones are pebble-like materials that can sometimes form inside the gallbladder. Most gallstones don’t cause any symptoms. But sometimes, a gallstone can get blocked inside one of the ducts as it passes through your gallbladder. If a stone gets stuck in one of the ducts, you might experience severe pain in the abdomen, as your gallbladder contracts after eating a meal to help digest your food. can cause pain as the gallbladder contracts after a meal.

It's common to experience a gallbladder attack more than once. It's worth noting that it might be days or months before another attack occurs. Less commonly, biliary colic can also develop into a more serious condition called acute cholecystitis, which lasts longer and causes additional symptoms as your gallstones pass through your system.

Biliary Colic Symptoms

Eating a large meal in the evening can often trigger the start of a gallbladder attack. The hallmark symptom of a gallbladder attack is abdominal pain and tenderness. The pain usually comes on fairly suddenly, and once it starts, it tends to be steady. Oftentimes, the pain can feel moderate to severe. Fortunately, over-the-counter pain relievers can help subside symptoms.

Generally, you’ll feel pain in the upper right part of your abdomen or just beneath your ribs. The pain can sometimes also radiate to the center of your midsection and your back. In rare cases, you might feel pain or tenderness in your chest.

In addition to pain, biliary colic can also cause:

In most cases, biliary colic symptoms will go away within a few hours as your gallbladder starts to relax again. But, it's worth noting that if you've had one gallbladder attack, you have about a 90% chance of getting at least another one in the next 10 years. About 60% of people have another episode within two years. If symptoms do come back, unfortunately, they are often more severe than the first episode.

Acute Cholecystitis Symptoms

Biliary colic tends to be more common in people who have gallstones. However, when your gallstones interrupt your bile duct system, a more serious condition can also develop. This condition is known as acute cholecystitis, which is the most common complication of gallstone disease. Acute cholecystitis can occur when you experience inflammation and infection of the gallbladder.

It's worth noting that gallstones aren't the only cause of acute cholecystitis, but they are the most common reason this condition can occur. Acute cholecystitis can happen when a gallstone completely blocks a bile duct and prohibits your body from digesting food properly.

Acute cholecystitis can cause some similar symptoms to biliary colic. These symptoms include:

  • Pain and tenderness in the upper right abdomen

  • Fever

  • Chills

  • Rapid heart rate

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Jaundice, or the yellowing of the eyes

  • A bulge or bump on the stomach

  • Loss of appetite

Unlike biliary colic, however, symptoms of acute cholecystitis tend to last longer—usually six hours or more.

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

If you have gallstones and your symptoms aren't intense, it's reasonable to see if the pain goes away on its own. However, it's still a good idea to make an appointment with your provider to get a proper diagnosis and treatment, if needed.

While gallbladder attacks (biliary colic) don't always need active treatment, some people may need more prompt medical attention. That's because conditions such as acute cholecystitis and other gallstone-related complications can occur. Seek immediate medical attention if you have intense abdominal pain and at least one of the following signs:

A Quick Review

A gallbladder attack can occur when a gallstone becomes trapped in a bile duct. Eating a heavy meal can often trigger abdominal pain, as your gallbladder contracts. Your gallbladder is responsible for creating bile and helping your body digest fatty foods. If your bile duct is blocked, your gallbladder isn't able to function normally, which can cause symptoms to occur.

In most cases, symptoms of a gallbladder attack subside within a few hours. But, if you develop a fever, chills, or rapid heart rate, this could indicate a more serious condition. In such cases, it's important to promptly contact your healthcare provider for support—as they can give you an accurate diagnosis and treatment, if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do gallbladder flare ups last?

Pain from biliary colic should improve within a few hours. If your pain is not improving after that time, seek medical attention.

What happens if you ignore gallbladder pain?

An episode of biliary colic usually goes away within a few hours, and you might never have another episode. However, sometimes it’s unclear whether your pain is due to your gallbladder or not. If your pain is persistent, don't ignore your symptoms, as this may indicate a more serious condition.

Do gallbladder attacks happen at night?

An attack of biliary colic often happens within a few hours after you’ve eaten a heavy meal. Most people do experience symptoms at nighttime, but this isn't always the case.

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