Gallbladder pain is often caused by gallstones blocking the cystic duct, though it can also be triggered by inflammation. Other causes, such as infection, are possible. The pain can be sudden and acute or chronic and dull.

The most common reason for the pain is gallstones — hardened deposits of digestive fluid that can form inside your gallbladder.

In the United States, more than 6.3 million females assigned at birth (FAABs) and 14.2 million males assigned at birth (MAABs) ages 20 to 74 have gallstones. That said, inflammation or infection of your gallbladder are other possible culprits of gallbladder pain.

The good news is there are treatments to effectively relieve gallbladder pain. Read on to learn more about what gallbladder pain feels like and how to alleviate the discomfort.

Your gallbladder is a small sac that’s located in your right upper abdomen, just below your liver. It stores gallbladder stores bile — a digestive fluid — that’s made by your liver.

Gallbladder pain can be sudden, intense, and severe. How it feels generally depends on the cause.

Gallstone pain

Bile helps break down fats during digestion and is made up of different substances, such as:

  • cholesterol
  • salts
  • water

Your liver continually makes bile until you consume food. When you eat, your stomach releases a hormone that causes muscles around your gallbladder to release the bile.

Gallbladder pain is an indication that something isn’t right. Sudden and escalating pain, for example, may indicate a “gallstone attack.” However, dull or continuous pain can also point to various problems.

How do you know if you have gallbladder pain? Learn more: Identifying gallbladder problems and their symptoms

What other symptoms may accompany gallbladder pain?

If you’re having a gallstone attack, you may also experience other symptoms, such as:

  • nausea or vomiting
  • tenderness in the area surrounding your gallbladder
  • Low grade fever
  • light-colored stool
  • brownish-colored urine
  • yellowing or discoloration of your skin or whites of your eyes

The pain is usually felt in your upper right abdomen but can spread to your upper back or shoulder blade.

Some people also experience pain in the center of their abdomen, just below their breastbone. This discomfort can last several minutes to a few hours. However, where you feel the pain exactly and how long it lasts depends on the cause.

Many people with gallstones do not experience symptoms, but about 10% will develop symptoms within five years, and 20% will do so within two decades of their diagnosis.

A common source of gallbladder pain is when gallstones get trapped in the cystic duct, eventually coming out on their own.

Sometimes, however, you can also develop cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation) if the gallstones obstruct the bile duct, which leads to bile buildup.

If untreated, cholecystitis can lead to serious, even life threatening complications, such as a gallbladder rupture or gangrene.

A few other causes can trigger gallbladder inflammation and pain, including bacterial and viral infections such as salmonella and hepatitis A.

According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders, other conditions may cause symptoms that may feel similar to cholecystitis. Some of these include:

In addition, a heart attack can sometimes be confused with gallbladder pain.

You should call your doctor if you have any symptoms of gallbladder pain that concern you.

Certain complications of a gallstone attack can be serious or life threatening. You should seek immediate medical care if you develop:

  • severe abdominal pain
  • yellowing or discoloration of your skin or whites of your eyes
  • a high fever with chills

Get immediate medical attention

If you or someone around you experiences the symptoms of a heart attack, call emergency services immediately.

Other symptoms of a heart attack include shortness of breath, chest pain, weakness, and jaw, neck, or back pain.

If the cause is cholecystitis, there’s not much you can do to stop it while it’s happening. You may want to apply a heated compress to the area to relieve the discomfort. Usually, the pain will ease once the gallstone has passed.

Traditional treatment options for gallbladder attacks include surgery to remove your gallbladder or medicines to help dissolve the gallstones.

You might be able to prevent a gallstone attack by reducing your chance of getting gallstones. This includes avoiding fatty food intake and maintaining a healthy weight.

Some other measures that could lower your chances of having gallbladder pain include:

  • Exercise: Research shows that regular physical activity can lessen your chances of gallstones.
  • Check your meds: Some medicines, such as postmenopausal hormones, may boost the risk of gallbladder disease.
  • Try magnesium: Research suggests magnesium may have an inverse relationship with the development of gallstones.

That said, some causes of gallbladder pain can only be resolved with medical treatment. For example, gallstones may need to be removed surgically, while bacterial infections will require treatment with antibiotics.

If you have a different underlying condition, the treatment will depend on the cause.

Gallbladder pain is usually caused by gallstones that block bile ducts. This common condition can cause severe pain.

For some people, the discomfort will go away on its own. Others may need treatments or surgery to remove their gallbladder. You can function well and live a full life without a gallbladder.