How to Tell If You Have Gallstones

Gallstones are crystallized pieces of bile. These hardened "stones" can vary in size from very small to the size of a ping-pong ball. Gallstones usually have no symptoms, but when they become inflamed or block the duct leading to the small intestine, they cause some very distinct symptoms that you can recognize.

Things You'll Need

• Computerized Tomography Scan (CT Scan)
• Magnetic Resonance Scan (MRI)
• Blood Tests

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Instructions

Initial Symptoms of Gallstones

• 1

  Note that your initial symptoms of a gallstone attack are sudden and intense pain in the upper right or center of your abdomen. This pain is severe and will generally not get any better regardless of position.

• 2

  Take your temperature as well, as gallstones can also cause a fever. Often a fever is a sign of a potential complication due to the gallstones.

• 3

  Observe your skin and the whites of your eyes for jaundice. This is a yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes.

• 4

  Notice any pains that appear in your right shoulder or upper back. Right shoulder pain is a symptom of gallstones that is fairly common, while pain in the upper back is more unusual.

• 5

  Note if you feel nauseous or sick to your stomach. This is also a common sign of gallstone problems.

Diagnosing Gallstones

• 6

  Have your doctor perform a CT scan or ultrasound to verify the gallstones in the gallbladder. This X-ray is very good at discovering gallstones and is the first thing your doctor will likely do if he suspects gallbladder problems.

• 7

  Consider an MRI scan if the CT scan is not definitive. An MRI will scan the bile ducts and can pick up gallstones that are blocking the ducts. These blockages can lead to serious complications.

• 8

  Have your blood drawn and tested so that the doctor can check your levels of infection. This is also helpful to rule out other complications that could exist.