HEALTH TIP

 GALLSTONES
The most common symptom of gallstones is pain in the stomach area or in the upper right part of the belly, under the ribs.
The pain may:

• Start suddenly in the center of the upper belly (epigastric area) and spread to the right upper back or shoulder blade area. It is usually hard to get comfortable. Moving around does not make the pain go away.
• Prevent you from taking normal or deep breaths.
• Last 15 minutes to 24 hours. Continuous pain for 1 to 5 hours is common.
• Begin at night and be severe enough to wake you.
• Occur after meals.

Gallstone pain can cause vomiting, which may relieve some of the belly (abdominal) pain and pressure. Pain that occurs with a fever, nausea, and vomiting or loss of appetite may be a sign of inflammation or infection of the gallbladder (acute cholecystitis). Symptoms that may mean that a gallstone is blocking the common bile duct include:

• Yellowing of the skin and the white part of the eyes (jaundice).
• Dark urine.
• Light-colored stools.
• A fever and chills.
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• Call your doctor immediately if you have:
  
• Pain that may be caused by gallstones (continuous moderate to severe pain in the upper right abdomen ) along with a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher and chills that are clearly not caused by stomach flu or any other reason.
• Pain in the upper midsection or upper right abdomen, along with a yellow tint to your skin and the white part of your eyes, dark yellow-brown urine, or light-colored stools.
• Diabetes or an impaired immune system and you have symptoms that may be caused by gallstones.

If you have symptoms of gallstones but no fever, chills, or yellowing of your skin or the white part of your eyes, you may still require evaluation and treatment. Schedule an appointment with your doctor.

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