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Conditions

Gallstone Treatment in Charlotte

Expert diagnosis and effective treatment for symptom relief

Gallstones can be silent for years — but when they block your bile ducts, they become a medical emergency that requires immediate care.

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Know the condition

Understanding Your Condition

Gallstones are hard particles that form in the gallbladder due to an imbalance in bile composition. They range in size from a grain of sand to a golf ball, and while many people have them without symptoms, a blocked bile duct can cause a serious, potentially life-threatening gallbladder attack. Our gastroenterologists provide gallstone diagnosis and treatment across the Charlotte area, including our Huntersville and Mooresville locations.

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Many people have gallstones that never cause symptoms — known as silent gallstones. These typically don't require treatment. However, once a gallbladder attack occurs, it's likely to happen again, and your doctor will usually recommend surgery to prevent future episodes.
KEY SYMPTOMS

Recognizing Symptoms

Gallstones are silent until they're not — know the signs of an attack.

Gallstones themselves don't cause symptoms. But when one blocks a bile duct, the resulting gallbladder attack has clear and serious symptoms. If you're experiencing any of the following, seek medical care immediately — these symptoms can indicate a life-threatening blockage.

Intense Abdominal Pain

Sudden, severe pain in the upper-right or center of the abdomen lasting longer than five hours is the hallmark symptom of a gallbladder attack caused by a blocked bile duct.

Upper Back Pain

Pain radiating to the upper back between the shoulder blades frequently accompanies a gallbladder attack and can feel similar to a muscle or spinal issue.

Nausea & Vomiting

Nausea and vomiting are common during a gallbladder attack as the body responds to the blocked bile duct and associated inflammation.

Fever & Chills

A fever accompanying abdominal pain suggests an infected or inflamed gallbladder — a serious complication requiring urgent medical treatment.

Jaundice

A yellowish tint to the skin or whites of the eyes indicates that bile is backing up into the bloodstream due to a blocked bile duct — a sign of a serious, urgent complication.

Tea-Colored Urine & Light Stools

Dark urine and pale or clay-colored stools are signs that bile flow is obstructed and not reaching the digestive tract normally — seek medical attention right away.

Causes & Risk Factors

What Causes Gallstones?

Gallstones form when the substances that make up bile become imbalanced. While scientists aren't certain why these imbalances occur, several risk factors increase your likelihood of developing them.

Gallstones form when bile contains too much cholesterol, too much bilirubin (a byproduct of the liver), or not enough bile salts — the substances that help digest fat and absorb nutrients. These imbalances cause particles to crystallize and harden into stones over time.

Treatment Options

Managing Gallstones

If gallstones aren't causing symptoms, treatment may not be needed. However, once a gallbladder attack has occurred, it's likely to happen again — and your doctor will recommend a plan to prevent future episodes and address any complications.

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

The most common surgery for gallstones. The surgeon makes small incisions and uses a thin camera to remove the gallbladder. Performed under anesthesia as an outpatient procedure — most patients go home the same day.

Open Cholecystectomy

Recommended when the gallbladder is severely inflamed, infected, or scarred. A 4–6 inch incision is made to safely remove the gallbladder. Expect to stay in the hospital up to a week, with about a month for full recovery.

ERCP (Stone Removal)

In specific cases, ERCP can be used to locate and remove gallstones from the bile ducts using a thin tube, camera, and small basket guided through the mouth. Charlotte Gastro performs ERCP at Novant Main and Matthews hospital locations.

Non-Surgical Treatment

When surgery isn't an option, oral dissolution therapy (medications that dissolve small cholesterol gallstones) or shock wave lithotripsy (breaking stones into smaller pieces) may be used. These are reserved for very specific cases where surgery carries too much risk.

Living Well After Gallstone Treatment

If your gallbladder has been removed, your body will adjust over time. Most people experience minimal disruption to daily life — especially with a few dietary adjustments in the weeks and months following surgery.

Without a gallbladder, bile is released continuously rather than in response to meals. This can cause mild digestive issues — especially after fatty meals. Start with small, low-fat meals and gradually reintroduce foods as your body adjusts.
Diagnostic Process

Getting Your Diagnosis

If your doctor suspects gallstones are causing your symptoms, they'll order imaging to confirm their presence and assess any complications before recommending treatment.

An ultrasound is the most accurate and commonly used diagnostic tool for gallstones. It uses high-frequency sound waves to create clear images of the gallbladder, making gallstones visible. Ultrasounds are painless, safe, and performed in our offices.

FAQs

While gallstones themselves don't necessarily cause symptoms, they become problematic when they block your bile ducts. Warning signs include abdominal pain lasting longer than five hours (especially on the right side), nausea, vomiting, fever, or a yellowish color appearing on your skin or in your eyes.

Take the Next Step Toward Better Digestive Health

Our Rea Farms, Randolph Road, Huntersville, Mint Hill, and Mooresville offices offer diagnosis and treatment for gallstones. ERCP for gallstone removal is available at our Novant Main and Matthews hospital locations.

Have questions about insurance? Our team can verify your coverage and let you know what to expect for out-of-pocket costs.

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