10 Warning Signs of Gallbladder Stones: Don't Ignore These Symptoms!

Gallbladder stones are hardened deposits of digestive fluids, and these are formed as stones in the gallbladder. It is a small ball-shaped organ on the right side of the abdomen and just below the liver. The gallbladder is responsible for holding the digestive juices into the small intestines, and these can range from the size of a small particle of sand to the large size of a golf ball. Many people can develop just one gallstone. However, others can have many gallstones at the same time. In today's blog, we will look at the Gallbladder stones symptoms and when to visit a doctor to manage this condition.

What are gallbladder stones?

Gallstones are the hardened deposits of the fluids formed in the gallbladder. These are small and can range from the size of a small particle of grain to a golf ball. Gallstones may or may not have any signs or symptoms, but these can be lodged into the duct and can cause a blockage into the resulting signs and symptoms of gallstones can be-

• Sudden and rapid pain in the right portion of the abdomen.
• Sudden pain in the center of the stomach and just below the breast bones.
• Pain in the right shoulder
• Gallstones can last for several minutes to a few hours.

What are the symptoms of gallbladder stones?

While these are more or less the physical pain symptoms of gallstones, you can see that many other symptoms can range differently based on the severity of the symptoms. Some of these are-

Nausea and vomiting

Gallstones can be related to the pain caused by sickness, which can lead to vomiting. While having gallstones it is important to take care of your eating habits as these symptoms can be pronounced after eating fatty and greasy foods. Thus, avoiding spicy, oily, and greasy foods will be better if you have seen signs like nausea and vomiting.

Indigestion

Many individuals can have gallstones that can be experienced due to indigestion and can be characterized by fullness and discomfort or bloating after meals. Indigestion occurs in case of gallstones when the bile ducts do not secrete the bile juice to digest the foods thus, it will be best to stick to softer foods and liquid diets.

Abdominal pain

The most common symptoms of the condition having problems with gallstones are pain in the upper abdomen and right upper quadrant. It can often occur after consuming a meal, especially one that is high in oils, and these can radiate to the back of the shoulder blades.

Jaundice

If the gallstones block the bile duct, it can lead to the buildup of pigment and bilirubin, a pigment produced by the liver, which can cause the yellowing of the skin and eyes. Dark urine and pale-colored stools can also be present while having gallstones. If you require more than just jaundice, you should contact the doctor, as it can also be a sign of liver disorder.

Fever and chills

Fevers are common gallstones that can cause inflammation or infections in the gallbladder stones symptoms and require immediate medical attention. Fevers as high as 100 degrees F, can be seen in case of gallstone. This can indicate a more severe condition and can require close immediate medical attention.

Back Pains

Though not common, back pain can irritate and meditate along the entire back. These can be signs of back pain and pain between the shoulder blades in gallstones, which can be persistent or intermittent. Back pain can also occur as a result of fever, chills, indigestion or bloating.

Clay-colored stools

The obstruction of bile juice in the gallstones can lead to changes in the stool color, which can become pale or even clay-colored due to the lack of bile pigment in the body. Clay-coloured stools are indicators that the bile ducts are not functioning properly and it can lead to problems with your health and even digesting fatty foods.

Dark color urine

Another symptom of gallbladder stones can be dark-colored urine, which can also appear dark brown or tea-colored. Darker color of urine can be a symptom of gallstones. Gallstones are known to change the color of urine from yellow to brown thus, you can observe the color of your urine to make these changes.

Bloating

Bloating can be accompanied by excessive gas and belching. Bloating can be felt when there is a gas in the stomach and it will create a gas-like chamber around your belly. You can see the signs of bloating when You will not have the symptoms if you care about your diet and eat wholesome foods.

Shoulder pain

Gallstones related to pain can radiate to the right shoulder and can cause discomfort or aching in that area. Sudden intense pain can be caused due to obstruction in the bile duct and can be caused by a blockage. Though shoulder pain is not common in gallstones, some people can still develop them as a result of bloating or indigestion. It is important to note that Gallbladder stones symptoms can vary depending on person to person, and individuals may experience the symptom tic and be recommended to consult a healthcare professional for an appropriate diagnosis.

What factors increase your risk of gallstones?

Some of the various factors that can increase the risk of developing gallstones are-

• Being overweight or obese
• Eating a high-fat diet
• Eating a high-cholesterol diet
• Having a family history of gallstones
• Having diabetes
• Losing weight very quickly
• Taking medications that contain estrogen, such as oral contraceptives or hormone therapy drugs
• Having liver disease

What are the complications of gallbladder stones?

1. Inflammation of the gallbladder can be one of the complications of having a gallbladder stone. Gallstone lodged in the back of the gallbladder can cause inflammation.
2. It is called cholecystitis, can cause severe pain in the spleen, and can result in the blockage of the bile duct and canals that can prevent the movement of bile flow from the gallbladder to the small intestines.
3. Severe pain can be related to jaundice, and bile duct infection can result in the idea of the clock of the pancreatic ducts.
4. The pancreatic duct can cause the pancreas to increase inflammation of the pancreas and can cause intense, constant abdominal pain and usually require hospitalization.
5. Gallbladder cancer can also be one of the complications of gallbladder stones, as it can have an increased risk of gallbladder cancer.
6. However, these cancers are rare, and even though they are at a higher risk of developing cancer, they can be elevated. The likelihood of gallbladder cancer is more petite.

How to reduce the chances of developing gallstones?

You can reduce the chances of developing gallstones by following these simple steps-

1. Try to avoid skipping meals and try to stick to the usual meal time each day. Skipping meals and fasting can increase the risk of gallstones.
2. Losing weight can be helpful, but rapid weight can increase the risk of gallstones. Aim for losing one to 0.5 kg of weight per week.
3. Eating more fibrous foods can include more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while maintaining a healthy weight, related to the risk of developing gallstones.
4. Work hard to maintain a healthy weight by continuing your diet and exercise.

When to visit the doctor if you have gallstones?

Make an appointment with your doctor in case you have seen the signs and symptoms that worry you, and seek immediate care if you develop the signs and symptoms of severe gallstone complications. Abdominal pain is so interesting that staying comfortable with emotions, yellowing skin, and whites in the eyes can be challenging.

Conclusion

In summary, gallstones can vary in symptoms and can have intensity and presentation. Still, these can manifest as intense pain in the upper abdomen and often cause nausea, vomiting, and indigestion. These Gallbladder stones symptoms can occur after consuming high-fat meals and can last several hours. Other signs of gallstones can be jaundice, fever, and changes in the color of stools. Though there can be different individuals with gallstones, these symptoms can be minimal, and some might not cause any discomfort are common and may be detected incidentally during the diagnosis and imaging of unrelated conditions. If you want to avoid such conditions, you can visit Kokilaben Hospital Mumbai for its premium healthcare and treatment.