Gallstones Symptoms

Learn to Identify the Painful Symptoms of Gallstones

A gallstone is a collection of calculi formed from the collection of bile. If gallstones are left untreated, they can cause acute cholecystitis, a type of inflammation caused when the gallbladder retains bile. In turn, this can lead to pancreatitis and ascending cholangitis. The ability to recognize symptoms helps prevent these conditions from occurring.

The first, most common symptom is a painful sensation in the upper right part of the stomach, below the ribs. It can spread up the stomach to the upper back or shoulders, making breathing difficult. Starting after meals or late at night, these symptoms last anywhere from 15 minutes to 24 hours.

Gallstones can also cause fever, chills, vomiting, loss of appetite, jaundice, darkly colored urine or lightly colored stool. Some of the symptoms are actually symptoms of food poisoning and stomach flu, particularly nausea, vomiting and intermittent stomach pain. Other conditions, such as heartburn and liver issues, can cause similar symptoms as well. However, their symptoms are more localized rather than particular to one spot, as is the case with gallstones.