How to Relieve Biliary Colic Pain

Medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Last Updated: March 12, 2023 References

Biliary colic pain is caused by a blockage in your gallbladder, which usually occurs because of gallstones. This type of dull, steady pain can last up to 6 hours at a time and is typically felt in the upper abdomen. You may struggle with how to relieve this persistent ache, especially if you are feeling nauseous or sick due to the pain. While the pain eventually subsides on its own, you should seek medical attention if the pain you're experiencing is severe.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Adjusting Your Diet and Lifestyle

1
Maintain a healthy body weight through diet and exercise. People who are obese are more likely to develop gallstones and biliary colic pain.^{[1]
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Johns Hopkins Medicine
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Go to source} To prevent your biliary colic pain from worsening, work on eating a nutritious, balanced diet and exercising every day to keep your body weight at a healthy level.
2
Eat food high in vitamins and minerals. Good nutrition can ensure your liver works properly and you avoid complications due to your condition. Eating a healthy diet can also help you manage biliary colic pain so it does not get worse. Have lots of fresh vegetables and fruits in your meals as well as whole wheat grains and healthy protein sources like chicken, fish, and beans.^{[2]
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National Health Service (UK)
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- Make a meal plan at the beginning of the week with meals packed with healthy options. Go shopping for the week’s groceries and bring an ingredients list so you know what to buy. Plan your meals and snacks so you can make healthy eating choices when you eat at home.
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3
Avoid foods high in salt, fat, and sugar. Foods high in fat can be difficult for you to digest due to biliary colic issues. You should also avoid foods high in salt and sugar, such as fast food, junk food, and prepackaged foods, as they can be hard on your digestion and make your biliary colic issues worse.^{[3]
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PubMed Central
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- Do not cut fat, sugars, or salt out of your diet completely, as this can put you at risk of low energy. Instead, have less fat, sugar, and salt in your meals.
4
Do not eat oysters or raw shellfish. Oysters and raw shellfish contain bacteria that can cause health issues if you have biliary colic issues caused by biliary cholangitis. Have shellfish that has been cooked to be safe.^{[4]
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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Health information from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a division of the U.S. National Institutes of Health
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5
Take vitamin and mineral supplements. Having biliary colic issues caused by biliary cholangitis can put you at risk of bone issues like osteoporosis. You are also at risk of having low levels of important vitamins like vitamin A, D, E, and K. Taking calcium supplements and supplements for other vitamins you are lacking can help your body function properly despite your biliary colic issues.^{[5]
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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Health information from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a division of the U.S. National Institutes of Health
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- Speak to your doctor before you take vitamin and mineral supplements to ensure they are right for you.
- Look for vitamin and mineral supplements produced by a reputable supplier at your local health food store or online.
6
Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. Smoking cigarettes and drinking high amounts of alcohol can make your biliary colic pain worse if it is caused by biliary cholangitis. If you smoke, try to quit or reduce your smoking habit. Aim to have only 1-2 drinks a week at most, or none at all.^{[6]
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PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Getting Medical Treatment

1
Ask your doctor for prescription pain medication. Your doctor can give you a prescription for pain medication to help reduce the pain you are experiencing. Make sure you follow your doctor’s instructions on dosage and never take more than the recommended amount.^{[7]
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American Academy of Family Physicians
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- Your doctor may prescribe you an opiate analgesic or an anti-inflammatory medication.
- Prescription pain medication are usually suggested as a temporary solution to the pain. They should not be used on a regular basis or long-term, as they can be addicting.
2
Talk to your doctor about oral dissolution therapy. Oral dissolution therapy involves regularly taking medication to dissolve the gallstones causing your biliary colic. While oral dissolution therapy is occasionally effective, it's usually not recommended by doctors because of the likelihood that the gallstones will return once treatment is stopped.^{[8]
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National Health Service (UK)
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3
Ask your doctor about getting biliary drainage done to reduce the pain. This procedure is done by inserting a tube into your bile duct to remove a blockage, such as gallstones. You will be under general anaesthetic during the procedure, which can take up to 4 hours. This procedure has minimal risks and requires 1-2 weeks of recovery.^{[9]
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Cleveland Clinic
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- This procedure can often reduce pain caused by a biliary colic issue. However, you will need to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle to ensure the issue does not return.
4
Discuss surgery to remove your gallbladder if your condition is severe. If your biliary colic pain is severe and causing you serious medical issues, your doctor may suggest the surgical removal of your gallbladder. This procedure is called a laparoscope and is done by making a small incision to remove your gallbladder.^{[10]
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American Academy of Family Physicians
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- This procedure is widely used by people who have gallstone issues, as it is considered a safe and effective way to address biliary colic pain.
- If you get a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, you can usually go home after the surgery, as the procedure is considered minimally invasive. You will need about 1 week to recover.
- If you get an open cholecystectomy, you will need to spend 2-3 days in the hospital to recover and then 4-6 weeks to recover at home.
5
Talk to your doctor about lithotripsy if you're unable to undergo surgery. Lithotripsy is a procedure in which ultrasound waves are used to break up the gallstones causing biliary colic pain. Lithotripsy is usually reserved for people who have chronic biliary colic pain and cannot have their gallbladder surgically removed.^{[11]
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Johns Hopkins Medicine
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