Sometimes, after having a meal, you feel a sharp pain in your upper right belly. Maybe it’s not the first time. You think of it as gas, indigestion or something more serious. If this pain keeps coming back, particularly after eating fatty foods, there’s a chance that it could be gallstone symptoms.
As a gallstone pain specialist in Milton Keynes, we’ve seen many patients go through a lot of discomfort before getting clarity. This blog will help you understand what gallstones are, what gallstone symptoms to look for, how they are diagnosed, and when to take help.
What Are Gallstones?
The gallbladder is a small, pear shaped organ beneath the liver. Gallstones are small, solid lumps that form inside your gallbladder. The gallbladder stores bile, a digestive fluid that helps break down fats. Sometimes, this bile can harden into stones.
These stones can be:
- Cholesterol stones (the most common type)
- Pigment stones (made from excess bilirubin)
You may have just one stone, or several. Some people don’t have any symptoms—this is called “silent gallstones.” But for others, they can be painful and disturb daily life.
What are the Gallstone Symptoms?
Sometimes, people with gallstones don’t have any symptoms. But when gallstone symptoms occur, they can be unmistakable.
Here are common signs:
- Sudden, sharp pain in the upper right or middle part of the belly (often after eating)
- Pain that may reach the right shoulder or back
- Nausea or vomiting
- Bloating or feeling too full after meals
- Pain that lasts from 30 minutes to several hours
If you’ve had this kind of pain more than once, particularly after eating rich or fatty food, it’s time to consider a gallbladder issues consultation.
When It Gets Serious: Complications of Gallstones
In some cases, gallstones can cause complications by blocking the flow of bile.
Watch out for these red flags:
- Fever with pain (a sign of infection)
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Persistent vomiting
- Very dark urine or pale stools
These may show a bile duct blockage, which can lead to infections like cholangitis or inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). If you’re experiencing these symptoms, don’t delay. You may require urgent bile duct blockage treatment in Milton Keynes.
How Are Gallstones Diagnosed?
At Harmony Digestive and Liver Wellness Centre, we first listen to your symptoms and do a physical exam. If gallstones are suspected, the next step is an imaging scan.
An accurate way to detect gallstones is through an ultrasound scan. We offer a private gallbladder scan in the UK with same-day appointments in Milton Keynes. This scan gives us a clear view of stones in your gallbladder or bile ducts.
If more detail is needed, we might recommend:
- MRCP (Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography) – a special MRI to look at bile ducts
- Blood tests – to check for infection or inflammation
- Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) – a highly accurate scan from inside your digestive tract
Treatment Options for Gallstones
Not all gallstones need treatment. If they’re not causing symptoms, you may not need to do anything. But if they are, there are a few treatment routes:
1. Lifestyle and Dietary Changes
If symptoms are mild, you might be able to manage them with a low-fat diet and smaller, more frequent meals. But this is usually a short-term solution.
2. Medications
Certain medications can dissolve cholesterol stones, but this takes months or years, and the stones often come back. This is rarely a permanent solution.
3. Surgery
Surgical removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) is the most effective and commonly recommended treatment for symptomatic gallstones. It can be done laparoscopically (keyhole surgery), which means faster recovery.
If your gallstones are causing bile duct blockage, an ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) might be needed to remove the stone from the duct.
What to Expect During a Consultation
At Harmony Digestive and Liver Wellness Centre, our approach is always patient-first. During your gallbladder issues consultation, we’ll discuss:
- Your symptoms and health history
- Whether immediate tests are needed
- Your scan or blood test results (often on the same day)
- A clear treatment plan that suits your lifestyle
Why Choose Harmony for Gallbladder and Bile Duct Care?
If you’re looking for expert, fast, and friendly care without long NHS wait times, we’re here to help. Harmony Digestive and Liver Wellness Centre is one of the few clinics offering:
- Same-day private gallbladder scans in the UK
- Detailed bile duct evaluation and management
- Integrated care with radiologists and surgical teams
- Quick appointments for those in and around Milton Keynes
Final Thoughts
Gallstones are common but shouldn’t be ignored. If you’ve been having upper belly pain, digestive discomfort, or symptoms that just don’t feel right, it might be time to get checked.
At Harmony Digestive and Liver Wellness Centre, our team offers care from diagnosis to treatment. Looking for a gallstone pain specialist in Milton Keynes or need help navigating bile duct blockage treatment? We’re here to support you every step of the way.
Book a consultation or screening today: Click Here.
To book a private liver consultation or second opinion, Get in touch with us.
Had a great experience with us? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Click here to leave a Google review.
