What are gallstones?
Do you have an unpleasant pain in the upper abdomen, on the right beneath your ribs? This is where your liver and gallbladder are located. Gallstones can form in the gallbladder. Many people have no symptoms, but a gallstone can sometimes become lodged. This can explain pain in the upper abdomen, because a trapped gallstone can cause sharp, cramping pain. The pain may become so severe that it makes you feel nauseous and unable to sit still. The pain often comes and goes. Sometimes it lasts only a short time, and sometimes for hours. Because the pain comes in attacks, it is also known as colicky pain. There are, however, other symptoms that may point to gallstones. Darmklachten.nl explains what these are and which tests may be useful.
Symptoms of gallstones
Attacks of pain in the upper right abdomen beneath the ribs can therefore be caused by gallstones. Gallstones can also cause jaundice, a yellow discolouration of the skin. If a gallstone becomes lodged in such a way that the gallbladder becomes inflamed, this can lead to a high fever. These are unpleasant symptoms, but unfortunately they are not the only ones. Gallstones can also cause dark urine or, conversely, pale stools.
Effect of gallstones on stools and passing them
Stool gets its colour from bile. If a gallstone becomes lodged, bile may no longer be able to reach the stomach and intestine. This can make the stool yellow and the urine dark. In some cases, gallstones leave the body naturally in the stool. You may then pass the gallstones yourself. If this does not happen, it is better to contact your GP.
What should you do if you have gallstones?
Do you recognise these symptoms? For example, yellow stools, dark urine or pain in the upper abdomen on the right beneath the ribs? Do you think gallstones may be the cause and are you unable to pass them? In that case, it is best to contact your GP. Your GP can refer you to hospital, where various examinations can be carried out. An ultrasound scan of the upper abdomen is often performed first. Sometimes this is not sufficient and an MRI scan is also needed to clearly identify very small gallstones. Would you prefer to test first whether your symptoms may be related to gallstones? Darmklachten.nl offers various tests for similar symptoms.
About Darmklachten.nl
Darmklachten.nl is an initiative of MGlab&Advies, a laboratory specialising in stool testing. …read more
