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Symptoms of Gallstones

A gallstone is a pebble-like deposit of calcium or cholesterol that can develop in a person's gallbladder. Most of the time, people don't even know they have them, as symptoms, when present, are relatively mild and often mimic other conditions that commonly plague the digestive system. However, the culmination of symptoms can help a person become aware that gallstones have formed in her gallbladder.

  1. Abdominal Pain

    • For many people, gallstones cause periodic episodes of upper abdominal pain. This pain is generally sudden, intense and isolated anywhere between the right and middle of the upper abdomen. Most of the time, it will happen a couple of hours after eating so it is often thought to be related to a digestive condition. Depending on the person, this pain may last for less than an hour up to a few hours.

    Indigestion

    • Another common symptom of gallstones is an almost persistent indigestion. This uneasiness or uncomfortable sensation a person feels after eating may cause him to suffer from a burning sensation within the abdomen. This can be accompanied by gas, bloating and pain.

    Nausea

    • Sometimes, a gallstone may bring about the symptom of nausea. This can be mild to severe in nature and may prompt a person to vomit, especially when the gallstones elicit a gallbladder attack.

    Fever

    • On occasion, a gallstone can cause a person to suffer from mild fever, according to the Mayo Clinic, when the pebble-like deposit becomes lodged within the neck of a person's gallbladder or within the duct of the liver. Usually, this fever will not be absent of pain, and should be treated immediately.

    Jaundice

    • If the gallstone travels to the duct of the liver or pancreas, it is possible for it to cause a jaundice-like symptom where a person's skin and eyes begin to take on an almost yellow hue. This is an indication that the bile duct has become blocked. As with the symptoms of fever and pain, a person with the symptom of jaundice should seek medical attention immediately.

    Stool Changes

    • A gallstone, even a small one, may create a blockage with a bile duct that causes a person's stool to change. This change will usually be seen as a clay-like color within the stool produced. This symptom is normally accompanied by both pain and fever.

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