Gallstone attacks are common, and while the pain can be intense, it often settles again just as quickly as it appeared.
The problem is that if the gallstones are still there, the pain can return days or even months later.
In this article, we explain why gallstone attacks keep coming back and when treatment may help stop them from affecting your everyday life.
What causes a gallstone attack?
A gallstone attack usually happens when a stone moves and temporarily blocks one of the small tubes that carry bile from your gallbladder. Bile is a digestive fluid that helps your body break down fats.
When the flow of bile is blocked, pressure can build in the gallbladder and cause sudden pain, usually in the upper part of your stomach or under the right-hand side of your ribs. If the stone moves away from the blockage, the pressure can ease, and the pain may stop.
How do I know it’s a gallstone attack?
Gallstone pain often comes on suddenly and can be very painful. It’s usually felt in the upper part of your abdomen or just under your ribs on the right-hand side.
You may also notice:
- Pain that lasts for 30 minutes or longer
- Discomfort that spreads towards your back or right shoulder
- Feeling sick or vomiting
- Symptoms that happen after eating, particularly a rich or fatty meal
The pain may then ease completely once the stone moves away from the blockage. This can make it seem like the problem has gone, even though the gallstones are still there.
Why do gallstone attacks keep coming back?
The pain from a gallstone attack may disappear completely, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the problem has gone away. In many cases, the stone that caused the blockage has simply moved out of the way.
If gallstones remain inside your gallbladder, the same stone or another one can move again and block the flow of bile. This can trigger another attack, sometimes weeks or months after the last one.
There’s no set pattern for how often this happens. You may feel completely well between episodes, even though the gallstones are still there and able to cause further problems.
If your gallstone pain keeps coming back, it’s worth having your symptoms assessed. A specialist can review what’s happening and explain if treatment could help prevent further attacks.
Why might gallstone attacks become more frequent?
Gallstone attacks don’t always follow a predictable pattern. You may go for a long time without symptoms, then find that episodes start happening closer together.
There isn’t always a clear reason for this change. Some people notice that certain foods seem to trigger their symptoms, while others can’t point to a clear cause.
If your attacks are becoming more frequent or starting to affect your usual routine, it’s a good idea to have your symptoms reviewed. This can help you understand what’s happening and decide if it’s time to consider treatment.
How can you treat recurring gallstone attacks?
If gallstone attacks keep returning, treatment will depend on how often they happen and how much they’re affecting you.
Changes to diet may help reduce symptoms for some people, particularly if certain foods seem to trigger an attack. However, these changes won’t remove the gallstones themselves.
If your symptoms keep coming back, gallbladder removal surgery may be recommended. This operation removes the gallbladder and the stones inside it, helping to prevent further attacks caused by them.
Gallbladder removal is commonly carried out using keyhole surgery, which involves several small cuts rather than one large cut. Your surgeon will explain if keyhole surgery is the option for you after assessing your symptoms and scan results.
When to seek urgent medical care for gallstone attacks
Most gallstone attacks settle once the blockage clears, but some symptoms can suggest a complication that needs urgent medical attention.
Seek medical advice promptly if you develop:
- Severe abdominal pain that doesn’t settle
- A high temperature or chills
- Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
- Vomiting that doesn’t stop
These symptoms can sometimes mean that a gallstone has caused a more serious blockage or inflammation (swelling). Getting medical help quickly means you can get checked and start treatment sooner.
Access dedicated gallstone care in Milton Keynes
Repeated gallstone attacks can make it difficult to plan meals or everyday activities with confidence. If the pain keeps coming back, you don’t have to keep waiting for the next episode.
Mr Achal Khanna offers specialist assessment and minimally invasive gallstone treatment in Milton Keynes. He can investigate your symptoms and help you decide on the most appropriate next step.
Book your consultation with Mr Khanna today to discuss your gallstone symptoms and treatment options.