Biliary Colic

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is it?

• Biliary colic is a bad pain in the right side of your abdomen (belly) just below your chest. Gallstones in your gallbladder or in your bile ducts cause this pain. Your gallbladder is a storage sack for bile which is made by the liver. Bile ducts are flexible tubes that go from the liver to the gallbladder or from the gallbladder to the small intestine. Bile is a special chemical that helps your body break down and digest fats. Gallstones are hard, solid lumps that happen most often when too much cholesterol (a fat-like material) is made in your bile. Stones also occur when bile sits too long in your gallbladder.
  
  
• Biliary colic may feel like the ache of an upset stomach to very bad pressure like a heart attack. The pain is usually steady and may seem to move from your stomach to your right shoulder. It may last from 15 minutes to several hours and then suddenly go away. You may also feel sweaty, have nausea, vomiting (throwing up). Your urine may be very dark and your BM's very light colored. You may need blood tests, an ultrasound or special x-ray. Caregivers may suggest surgery to remove stones or shock waves from a special machine that break them up. They may also treat your biliary colic with medicines or changes in your diet.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Link to this page

Printable Version

Email Page