Gallstones: what are the symptoms?

Many people with have no symptoms and are unaware that they have gallstones until the stones show up in tests performed for other reasons.

When symptoms do develop, it is usually because the gallbladder wall becomes inflamed or because the stones have moved out of the gallbladder and block the tube connected to the intestine.

A typical gallstone "attack" may occur suddenly and often follows a fatty meal, frequently occurring during the night. The attack starts as a continuous upper abdominal pain that increases rapidly and lasts from 30 minutes to several hours.

The following symptoms may also be experienced:
- Pain in the back between the shoulder blades or pain under the right shoulder
- Nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal bloating
- Recurring intolerance of fatty foods
- Colic
- Indigestion