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Symptoms of Gallstones
Gallstones may cause no symptoms at all or may cause symptoms intermittently depending on the foods you eat. Large fatty meals (such as a holiday dinner) are notorious for causing gallstone symptoms. If a gallstone gets stuck and causes blockage of the flow of bile, the gallbladder becomes inflamed, and you may experience the following symptoms:- Pain in the upper right area of your abdomen or in the center of your abdomen just below your breastbone – the pain can come on suddenly and intensify quickly
- Back pain between your shoulder blades or in your right shoulder
- Nausea or vomiting
Causes and Types
We are not completely certain what causes gallstones to form, but they are often a result of excess cholesterol or bilirubin in your bile or if your gallbladder doesn’t empty completely or often enough and bile becomes very concentrated. Gallstones are categorized into two main types. Cholesterol gallstones, the most common type, appear yellow in color and are composed mainly of undissolved cholesterol, although they may contain other components. Pigment gallstones caused by bilirubin are typically black or brown in color.Risk Factors
Given we don’t fully know what causes gallstones to develop, it’s hard to pinpoint specific factors. Gallstones do seem to have a genetic link, occurring more frequently in those with a family history. They are also more common in women than men, people over the age of 40, and those of either Native-American or Mexican heritage. Beyond that, factors that may increase your risk of gallstones include:- Being overweight or obese
- Being sedentary
- Being pregnant
- Eating a high-fat diet
- Eating a high-cholesterol diet
- Eating a low-fiber diet
- Having diabetes
- Losing weight very quickly
- Taking medications that contain estrogen, such as oral contraceptives or hormone therapy drugs
- Having liver disease
When to see your healthcare provider
If you have any of the symptoms listed earlier in this article, it’s a good idea to check in with your healthcare provider. You should immediately contact your primary care clinician if you have any of the symptoms listed below. These may be signs of a serious gallstone complication, such as cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder), a blockage of either the common bile duct or the pancreatic duct, pancreatitis, or even cancer.- You experience intense abdominal pain where you can’t find a comfortable position.
- You notice a yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes.
- You have a high fever with chills.