Symptoms of Gallstones
Disease description:
I have a friend who is in her thirties and was recently diagnosed with gallstones. She is now hospitalized and will undergo a stone removal surgery. I plan to visit her today and would like to know what symptoms are associated with gallstones.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Gao Jun
The symptoms of gallstones include abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, indigestion, jaundice, fever, and chills.
1. Abdominal pain: This is a common symptom of gallstones. The pain typically occurs in the upper right or middle upper abdomen, and can be either intermittent or constant, lasting from several minutes to hours.
2. Nausea and vomiting: Patients with gallstones often experience nausea and vomiting, which usually occur during episodes of pain and gradually subside after the pain resolves.
3. Indigestion: Gallstones can cause impaired bile secretion, thereby affecting the digestion and absorption of fats. Patients may experience indigestion symptoms such as postprandial fullness, early satiety, and a burning sensation in the middle upper abdomen.
4. Jaundice: When gallstones block the bile ducts, bile excretion is impaired, which can lead to jaundice. Jaundice is characterized by yellowing of the skin and sclera, darkening of urine color, and lightening of stool color.
5. Fever and chills: When gallstones are complicated by infection, patients may develop systemic symptoms such as fever and chills. Fever is usually not an early symptom of gallstones but rather a complication of infection.
If these symptoms occur, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly for relevant examinations and treatment. In addition, regular physical checkups play an important role in the early detection of gallstones.
