Sometimes, but not always, people who havegallstonesget biliary colic.
Biliary colic is also known as a gallstone attack or a gallbladder attack.
In some people, it feels like the pain is radiating to their back or their right shoulder.
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The pain usually begins suddenly.
Once it begins, its usually a moderate, steady pain.
Unlike some other kinds of abdominal pain, biliary colic doesnt improve after having a bowel movement.
Usually, the worst of the pain happens about an hour after it starts.
However, the symptoms of biliary colic dont always follow this pattern.
For example, you might have different patterns in the location and pattern of the pain.
The gallbladder is a small sac-like organ that sits underneath the liver.
During a meal, various physiological signals make the gallbladder squeeze.
This helps get the bile down the biliary tract.
A bigger, fattier meal may trigger the gallbladder to squeeze harder.
Normally, this squeezing isnt a problem.
If that happens, it can lead to the symptoms of biliary colic.
Biliary colic can be sparked by anything that temporarily blocks the biliary ducts, especially the cystic duct.
Gallstones
Sometimes the bile becomes thick and hardened and forms gallstones (also called cholelithiasis).
Researchers are still learning about what causes gallstones to form in some people but not in others.
Different types of gallstones have some different risk factors, depending on the composition of the stones.
The most common bang out is cholesterol stones.
Most people who have gallstones never experience any symptoms from them.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis begins with a full medical history and clinical exam.
Your clinician will ask you about your symptoms and your other medical conditions.
Youll also need a physical exam, including a thorough exam of your abdomen.
For biliary colic, the abdominal exam is usually normal, except for some possible upper abdominal tenderness.
Your clinician should check you for signs of infection (like fever) or yellowed skin (jaundice).
This might signal a more serious problem.
Some of these conditions need prompt medical interventions, such as surgery.
Other types of complications from gallstones might need to be considered as well.
Imaging
You might already know that you have gallstones.
For example, they might have been seen on a bang out of imaging test done for another reason.
If so, you might not need additional imaging.
In some situations, you might need additional testing.
Depending on the situation, you might or might not need hospitalization while you recover from your symptoms.
You have two main options for managing your symptoms.
you might manage your condition with diet (and potentially with medication).
Or you’ve got the option to opt to have your gallbladder surgically removed.
(But if you have gallstoneswithoutbiliary colic, this is not the standard recommendation.
Surgery is the only definitive way to address the symptoms of biliary colic.
We dont have a lot of good data about this.
You will need to work with your healthcare provider to make the best choice for you.
A Word From Verywell
Biliary colic can be a painful and annoying condition.
However, its less serious than some other problems that can be sparked by gallstones.
Fortunately, surgical removal of the gallbladder will be a good option for many people.
Work with your healthcare provider to weigh the benefits and possible risks in your particular situation.
In some cases, this pain can radiate to the back or right shoulder.
Nausea and vomiting are also potential symptoms in some people.
The pain from biliary colic is sometimes described as colicky pain.
Yes, it’s possible for you to have biliary colic without a gallbladder.
This is because temporary blockage is affecting the bile ducts outside of the gallbladder and not the gallbladder itself.
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