Gallstones are relatively small clusters of crystals in the ducts of the gallbladder that can block digestive bile from reaching the small intestine. Most gallstones are tiny, harmless, and asymptomatic, named "silent" gallstones. Those that are large enough to warrant removal, called symptomatic gallstones, cause indigestion, pain, and bloating associated with other gastrointestinal ailments.

Initial, mild symptoms of gallstones include indigestion, bloating, nausea or vomiting, gas with burping or flatulence, and pain in the upper abdomen. You should seek a doctor's attention if you experience these symptoms with regularity. The presence of gallstones may even lead to a timely diagnosis of associated diseases, such as sickle cell anemia, diabetes, or Crohn's Disease.

Urgent, severe symptoms of gallstones mean you probably need surgery to treat the gallstones and restore health. You might feel pain in your middle back, either around your spine between shoulder blades or behind the blades. Your digestive system is not about to shut down, but an immediate visit to your doctor will lead to a proper diagnosis and rapid treatment.

In extreme cases, nausea, sharp upper abdominal pain, and vomiting might accompany a fever with violent chills or excessive perspiration. These symptoms should be treated as an emergency, especially if you notice jaundice. Jaundice causes your irises and skin to look greenish or yellow because your body's filtration system isn't eliminating toxins. Instead, these toxins are free to circulate in the bloodstream and may cause poisoning and serious complications.

Often, the detection of gallstones happens accidentally when a doctor is scanning the abdomen for other conditions. Sometimes, early detection prevents later discomfort, but usually gallstones are so small they are not worth removing. When gallstones become large enough to prevent bile from flowing to the small intestine, they interfere with the digestion of fats. Therefore, eating a meal rich in fats will increase symptoms of abdominal irritation.