What are the symptoms of gallstones?
Symptoms of gallstones are often called a
gallstone "attack" because they occur suddenly.
A typical attack can cause
- steady pain in the upper abdomen that
increases rapidly and lasts from 30 minutes
to several hours
- pain in the back between the shoulder
blades
- pain under the right shoulder
- nausea or vomiting
Gallstone attacks often follow fatty meals,
and they may occur during the night. Other
gallstone symptoms include
- abdominal bloating
- recurring intolerance of fatty foods
- colic
- belching
- gas
- indigestion
People who also have the above and any of
following symptoms should see a doctor right
away:
- chills
- low-grade fever
- yellowish color of the skin or whites of
the eyes
- clay-colored stools
Many people with gallstones have no symptoms.
These patients are said to be asymptomatic, and
these stones are called "silent stones." They do
not interfere with gallbladder, liver, or
pancreas function, and do not need treatment.
Article provided
by the National Digestive Diseases Information
Clearinghouse
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