Gallbladder Pain: Causes, Triggers, and What to Do When It Hits

When you feel a sharp, steady ache under your right rib cage that won’t quit, it’s often your gallbladder, a small organ that stores bile to help digest fats. Also known as the biliary system, it’s not something you notice—until it stops working right. Gallbladder pain doesn’t come from stress or bad food alone. It’s usually caused by gallstones, hard deposits that form when bile gets too concentrated and block the tubes leading out of the gallbladder. These blockages trigger what doctors call biliary colic, a sudden, intense pain that can last from 30 minutes to several hours. It’s not a cramp. It’s a clamp—tight, deep, and often worse after eating fatty meals like pizza, fried chicken, or creamy pasta.

People mistake gallbladder pain for heartburn, a stomach ulcer, or even a heart issue. But there’s a difference. Heartburn burns upward toward your throat. Gallbladder pain stays put—under your right ribs, sometimes radiating to your right shoulder or back. You might feel nauseous, throw up, or get bloated. The pain doesn’t go away with antacids. If it lasts more than a few hours or comes with fever, chills, or yellow skin, you’re not dealing with a bad meal—you’re dealing with an inflamed gallbladder or a blocked bile duct, and you need help fast.

Most gallbladder attacks happen to people over 40, especially women, those who are overweight, or anyone who’s lost weight fast. Diabetes, liver disease, and certain medications can raise your risk too. But here’s the thing: not everyone with gallstones feels pain. Some people live with them for years without knowing. The real problem starts when stones move and get stuck. That’s when the body reacts with inflammation, infection, or even pancreatitis if the blockage spreads.

What you’ll find below isn’t just theory. These posts break down real cases: how doctors confirm gallbladder issues with ultrasound or blood tests, why some people need surgery while others manage with diet, and how medications like ursodiol can dissolve small stones without cutting. You’ll see how diet changes—cutting back on fried foods and sugar—can reduce attacks. You’ll learn what happens when the gallbladder is removed, and why some people still feel discomfort afterward. This isn’t a list of guesses. It’s a collection of clear, practical answers from people who’ve been there—and the doctors who treat them.