Gallstones are a common digestive problem, but many people do not know they have them until pain suddenly appears. Some gallstones stay silent for years, while others can block the bile ducts and cause strong abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, or yellowing of the skin and eyes.
The original article focuses on gallstones, their warning signs, and treatments that should not be ignored. Gallstones are hard deposits that form in the gallbladder, a small organ that stores bile, the fluid that helps the body digest fats.
What Are Gallstones?
Gallstones are small, hard stones that can form in the gallbladder or bile ducts. They are usually made from cholesterol or bilirubin. The gallbladder sits under the liver and stores bile before releasing it into the small intestine during digestion.
Many people with gallstones have no symptoms. But if a stone blocks a bile duct, it can trigger sudden pain called biliary colic, often known as a gallbladder attack.
1. Sudden Pain in the Upper Abdomen
The most common warning sign is sudden pain in the upper right side of the abdomen or in the middle of the stomach, just under the ribs. The pain may be severe, constant, and can last longer than 30 minutes or continue for several hours.
This pain may happen after eating, especially after a heavy or fatty meal, because the gallbladder contracts to release bile.
2. Pain That Spreads to the Back or Shoulder
Gallstone pain does not always stay in the stomach area. It can spread toward the back or right shoulder. If this happens with nausea or vomiting, it should be taken seriously.
Pain that keeps coming back after meals is a sign that the gallbladder may need medical evaluation.
3. Nausea, Vomiting, and Digestive Discomfort
Gallstones can also cause nausea, vomiting, bloating, indigestion, or discomfort after eating. These symptoms can be easy to confuse with ordinary stomach upset, but when they happen repeatedly with upper abdominal pain, gallstones may be one possible cause.
The NHS lists feeling sick or vomiting as possible symptoms when gallstones cause biliary colic.
4. Fever, Chills, or Feeling Very Unwell
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