Gallstones: Symptoms, Causes, and What to Do

Gallstones can range in size from small, sand-like particles to large, golf ball-sized stones and usually do not cause any symptoms. But if a gallstone blocks a bile duct, bile can build up in the gallbladder, causing inflammation and leading to symptoms such as:

- Sudden and intense upper abdominal pain

- Back pain between the shoulder blades

- Right shoulder pain

- Nausea

- Vomiting

- Fever

- Chills

- Yellowed skin and eyes (jaundice)

- Dark urine

- Light-colored stools