Symptoms of Gallstones

Over 80% of people with gallstones do not experience any symptoms (so called 'silent' gallstones). However, in some cases, stones can prevent the gallbladder from emptying easily, which will cause a colicky pain about an hour after eating - particularly if the food was high in fat.

In some cases, the stone may block the cystic duct, causing the ducts and the gallbladder to become distended from the build up of bile fluid. Sufferers experience biliary colic; a constant pain in the upper middle or upper right abdomen that lasts between 15 minutes and 5 hours. The pain may also be felt in the right shoulder and shoulder blade, which share the same nerve roots as the upper part of the abdomen. This is called referred pain. The pain is not made worse by movement, but may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

If the pain lasts more than 5 hours, then it usually means that the gallbladder has become inflamed (cholecystitis). The abdomen will be tender to the touch and the patient will find it painful to move. These symptoms are often accompanied by a fever - a sign of inflammation.

If the gallstone blocks the common bile duct, there will be a back pressure of bile in the liver when the bladder attempts to squeeze bile into the duodenum. This will force the yellow bile pigment into the circulation, resulting in a condition called obstructive jaundice. This causes yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, pale clay coloured stools and dark coloured urine.