Symptoms of Gallstones

General information about symptoms of Gallstones: The symptom information on this page attempts to provide a list of some possible symptoms of Gallstones. This symptom information has been gathered from various sources, may not be fully accurate, and may not be the full list of symptoms of Gallstones. Furthermore, symptoms of Gallstones may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of symptoms and whether they are indeed symptoms of Gallstones.

List of symptoms of Gallstones: The list of symptoms mentioned in various sources for Gallstones includes:

• No symptoms - many people don't know they have gallstones. These "silent stones" are often found by accident from x-rays for other medical reasons. These stones may or may not require treatment.
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Indigestion
• Abdominal bloating
• Fatty food intolerance
• Biliary Colic
• Belching
• Gas
• Indigestion
• Certain symptoms are particularly dangerous and require urgent medical attention:
  • Fever
  • Sweating
  • Chills
  • Jaundice
  • Yellow eyes
  • Yellow skin
  • Persistent pain
  • Clay-colored stools
• Gallstone attack symptoms - an acute gallstone attack can occur at any time, such as the night or after a fatty meal. A gallstone attack indicates that medical attention is required.
  • Upper abdominal pain
  • Back pain - between the shoulder blades
  • Pain under the right shoulder
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

Symptoms of Gallstones: Symptoms of gallstones are often called a gallstone "attack" because they occur suddenly. A typical attack can cause

• Steady, severe 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 following symptoms should see a doctor right away:

• Sweating.
• 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 in gallbladder, liver, or pancreas function and do not need treatment. ¹

However, most people with gallstones don't know they have them and experience no symptoms. Painless gallstones are called silent gallstones. For an unfortunate minority, however, gallstones can cause painful attacks. Painful gallstones are called symptomatic gallstones, because they cause symptoms. In rare cases gallstones can cause life-threatening complications.²

Most people with gallstones do not have symptoms. They have what are called silent stones. Studies show that most people with silent stones remain symptom free for years and require no treatment. Silent stones usually are detected during a routine medical checkup or examination for another illness.³

A gallstone attack usually is marked by a steady, severe pain in the upper abdomen. Attacks may last only 20 or 30 minutes but more often they last for one to several hours. A gallstone attack may also cause pain in the back between the shoulder blades or in the right shoulder and may cause nausea or vomiting. Attacks may be separated by weeks, months, or even years. Once a true attack occurs, subsequent attacks are much more likely.³

More symptoms of Gallstones: In addition to the above information, to get a full picture of the possible symptoms of this condition and its related conditions, it may be necessary to examine symptoms that may be caused by complications of Gallstones, underlying causes of Gallstones, associated conditions for Gallstones, risk factors for Gallstones, or other related conditions.

Medical articles on symptoms: These general reference articles may be of interest:

• Symptoms of the Silent Killer Diseases
• Symptoms and Medical Malpractice

Medical Tools & Articles:

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