Do I Have Gallstones?

Do you have sudden and rapidly intensifying pain (colicky pain) in the upper right side of your abdomen (just under your ribs)?

Do you have sudden, escalating pain in the center of your abdomen, just below your breastbone?

Does your pain spread to your right shoulder or between your shoulder blades?

Do you have constant pain that is not relieved by going to the toilet, passing wind or vomiting?

Do you have intense abdominal pain that can last for several hours (one to five hours)?

Is your abdominal pain so intense that you cannot sit still or find a comfortable position?

Do you feel nausea or vomiting?

Do you have yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)?

Do you have a high temperature of 38C or above whit chills?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have gallstones. Gallstones are stones formed in the gallbladder from bile components. It is important to know that most people whit gallstones don’t have any signs or symptoms (“silent gallstones”). It is not clear what exactly leads to the formation of gallstones but, certain risk factors are known to increase the possibility of gallstones. You can reduce your risk of gallstones if you: don't skip meals, lose weight slowly, eat more high-fiber food and maintain a healthy weight. If you have any signs or symptoms that worry you, please make an appointment with your doctor.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have gallstones. Gallstones are stones made of bile components that can form in your gallbladder. Gallstones can vary in size and while some people may have multiple gallstones at the same time, others may have just one. Gallstones themselves do not cause pain; many people whit gallstones do not have symptoms and typically they do not need treatment. Pain occurs when gallstones get stuck in the bill tube and block the movement of bile from the gallbladder. In this case, treatment involves gallbladder removal surgery. Please, make an appointment with your doctor for further analysis.