Can gallstones cause pain in the upper right abdomen

Gallstones can cause pain in the upper right abdomen. The pain caused by gallstones is mainly related to the obstruction of the cystic duct or stimulation of the gallbladder wall by the stones. The typical manifestation is paroxysmal upper right abdominal colic, which may radiate to the right shoulder and back. When gallstones move or become lodged in the cystic duct within the gallbladder, they can directly stimulate the gallbladder wall or cause obstruction of bile excretion, leading to strong contraction of the gallbladder smooth muscle and causing colic. Pain often occurs after a full meal, at night, or after consuming greasy food, lasting for several minutes to several hours. Some patients may experience digestive symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distension. Long term stimulation of stones may also induce cholecystitis, leading to persistent pain accompanied by fever. In rare cases, gallstones may enter the common bile duct through the cystic duct, causing common bile duct obstruction or acute cholangitis. At this time, the pain may worsen and more severe symptoms such as jaundice and chills may appear. If the stone is trapped in the neck of the gallbladder, causing sustained increase in gallbladder pressure, it may also lead to critical situations such as gallbladder perforation. If there is pain in the upper right abdomen, timely medical examination should be sought, and the diagnosis should be confirmed through imaging methods such as ultrasound. Avoiding high-fat diets in daily life, maintaining regular eating habits, and moderate exercise can help reduce bile stasis. For patients with recurrent gallstones, doctors may recommend surgical removal of the gallbladder to cure the problem.