Gallstones Symptoms

Gallstones symptoms can vary depending on the type of gallstones you are suffering from, the most common is the uncomplicated gallstones known as Biliary Colic whose symptoms include:

• Sudden intense pain in the center of the trunk (from the breastbone down to the naval) this can last for up to 8 hours

• Pain in the upper right quadrate of the abdomen radiating into the right shoulder

The patient may also suffer from excessive sweating, nausea and or vomiting.

Biliary Colic can be caused by eating fatty foods and it isn’t unusual for the pain to strike in the middle of the night.

Attacks of biliary colic can strike at any time, but a sufferer could go weeks or months between episodes.

The other type of gallstones is referred to as complicated gallstones disease, and there are different the symptoms of complicated gallstones, the three most common of the gallstone diseases are:

• Acute cholecystisis – inflammation of the gall bladder

• Acute cholangitis – inflammation of the bile ducts

• Acute pancreatitis – inflammation of the pancreas

The gallstones symptoms of acute cholecystisis include;-

• Rapid heart beat

• Pain in the upper abdomen radiating to the shoulder – generally lasting more than 5 hours

• Fever

• Jaundice – in only about 15% of cases

The gallstones symptoms in Acute cholangitis include;-

• Pain in the upper abdomen radiating to the shoulder

• Fever

• Jaundice(yellowing of skin and whites of eyes)

• Chills

• Confusion

• Itching skin

• Generally feeling unwell

Acute cholangitis is caused when the bile ducts become blocked, which can lead to infection and inflammation.

The gallstones symptoms in acute pancreatitis include;

• Sudden onset of pain in the center of the upper abdomen.

• Nausea and or vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Loss of appetite

• Fever

• Tenderness of the abdomen

• Jaundice – though less common

Acute pancreatitis is caused when a gallstone moves from the gallbladder and blocks the opening of the pancreas, which causes the pancreas to become inflamed.

The pain of pancreatitis often gets gradually worse until it becomes constant and can radiate into the back. Often the pain will be worse after eating. Many people find that leaning forward or curling the body into a ball helps to relieve some of the pain.

The biliary type of gallstones while it can be very uncomfortable is unlikely to cause serious problems, but should be investigated by an MD as soon as possible, in order to rule out any complications and to start any treatment which may be necessary. Often no treatment is needed, although some patients may require painkillers to help them cope with the pain during attacks.

The pain and other symptoms of gallbladder pain can be so severe that patients will often feel as if they are having a heart attack and request the services of an ambulance and or the care of the ER.

Some cases of complicated gallstones can cause serious complications it is therefore strongly advised that if you think you could be suffering from any of the complicated gallstone symptoms you seek urgent medical advice as you may require surgery to remove the gallbladder.