Health Tip: Recognizing Gallstones
Gallstones are stones of varied sizes that form in the gallbladder, and are usually composed of cholesterol or excess bilirubin in the bile. Some gallstones cause no symptoms, while others can cause significant pain.
The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers this list of gallstone warning signs:
- Pain that occurs in the upper-right or upper-middle abdominal area. It may come and go, and may be more noticeable after you eat.
- Pain that spreads to the back or beneath the right shoulder blade.
- Pain that feels dull, crampy or sharp.
- Pain accompanied by fever or jaundice (yellowing of eyes and skin).
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Passing stools the color of clay.
Health Tip: Are You at Risk for Gallstones?
Gallstones occur when fluids in the gallbladder solidify and turn into stones that can trigger severe pain. In some cases, they can lead to surgical removal of the gallbladder.
The American Academy of Family Physicians offers this list of common risk factors for gallstones:
- Being female.
- Being of Mexican or American Indian heritage.
- Being diabetic.
- Being older than age 60.
- Being pregnant.
- Taking birth control pills.
- Being overweight.
- Eating a high-cholesterol diet.
- Having recently lost a lot of weight.
- Having a personal or family history of gallstones.
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