Pain associated with gallstones usually appears in the upper right part of your abdomen. The pain may be mild or severe, and occurs when bile hardens in your gall bladder, forming stones. Risk factors for gallstones include being an American Indian or Mexican American, being female, obesity, diabetes and family history of gallstones. You may be able to ease gallstone pain using various techniques, but if the pain persists, make sure to see a doctor to rule out more serious conditions.
Step 1
Soak in a warm bath to relax your body and soothe your stomach, or place a hot water bottle or heating pad on the area. Breathe deeply as the heat relaxes your muscles.
Step 2
Avoid eating foods high in cholesterol and saturated fat, as they can aggravate gallstones and cause discomfort. Examples are fatty meats, fast food and other junk foods.
Step 3
Rest your gallbladder to help reduce inflammation if your pain is acute, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Try fasting, or obtain a prescription for pain medication or anti-inflammatories to ease your discomfort.
Tips and Warnings
- Discuss gall bladder surgery with your doctor if your pain is strong and persistent. Ask if you are a candidate for lithotripsy treatment, which breaks up the stones with sound waves.
- Visit your doctor or the emergency room if your pain is acute to rule out anything more serious and get prescription pain medication to ease your discomfort.
