Many people have gallstones without symptoms, called "silent gallstones." In some cases, these are treated.
Gallstones may cause pain in the upper abdomen. This is sometimes called an attack because it begins suddenly, often after a fatty meal. The pain is severe and may last for 30 minutes or several hours.
Other symptoms include:
Intermittent pain on the right, below the ribcage
Bloating, nausea, and vomiting
Belching, gas, and indigestion
If you have the following symptoms, see your doctor right away:
Abdominal pain
Sweating
Chills
Low-grade fever
Jaundice (yellowish color of the skin or whites of the eyes)
Clay-colored stools
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam.
Tests may include:
Abdominal x-ray —a test that uses radiation to take a picture of structures inside the body, about 15% of gallstones can be seen on plain x-rays.
Ultrasound —a test that uses sound waves to find gallstones
Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)—an accurate and non-invasive means of evaluating the pancreas and gallbladder
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) —a test that uses a combination of endoscopy (the use of a flexible fiberoptic camera to look into your digestive system) and x-rays
Cholecystogram or cholescintigraphy—x-rays that show movement of the gallbladder and any blockage of the cystic duct that carries bile to the bile duct
Blood tests—may be used to find an infection, jaundice, pancreatitis , or an obstruction
Comment Reply
Hi there Anon,
Many people have gallstones without symptoms, called "silent gallstones." In some cases, these are treated.
Gallstones may cause pain in the upper abdomen. This is sometimes called an attack because it begins suddenly, often after a fatty meal. The pain is severe and may last for 30 minutes or several hours.
Other symptoms include:
Intermittent pain on the right, below the ribcage
Bloating, nausea, and vomiting
Belching, gas, and indigestion
If you have the following symptoms, see your doctor right away:
Abdominal pain
Sweating
Chills
Low-grade fever
Jaundice (yellowish color of the skin or whites of the eyes)
Clay-colored stools
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam.
Tests may include:
Abdominal x-ray —a test that uses radiation to take a picture of structures inside the body, about 15% of gallstones can be seen on plain x-rays.
Ultrasound —a test that uses sound waves to find gallstones
Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)—an accurate and non-invasive means of evaluating the pancreas and gallbladder
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) —a test that uses a combination of endoscopy (the use of a flexible fiberoptic camera to look into your digestive system) and x-rays
Cholecystogram or cholescintigraphy—x-rays that show movement of the gallbladder and any blockage of the cystic duct that carries bile to the bile duct
Blood tests—may be used to find an infection, jaundice, pancreatitis , or an obstruction
https://www.empowher.com/condition/gallstones/symptoms
Hope this helps,
Rosa
September 2, 2011 - 8:33amThis Comment
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