Gallstones can exist without ill effects for decades. Most people experience no symptoms when they have gallstones; in fact only 5 to 10% of people develop some symptoms of gallstones. This can make it difficult to know what to look for if you suspect you may have gallstones, and further indicates the importance of consulting a doctor for official diagnosis. Fewer than half the number of people who actually have gallstones even experience symptoms. Individuals with gallstones may experience a recurring pain in the upper right area of their abdomen (right upper quadrant pain) or in front of the lower part of their sternum (epigastric pain). There may be a gnawing pain, nausea and vomiting. The pain, known as biliary colic, usually lasts for more than 15 minutes and can sometimes radiate towards the back.  Patients will usually experience recurring episodes of biliary colic after their first time experiencing the pain. In addition, biliary colic often occurs and then goes away. You may only feel this pain several times per year. This symptom can be easy to confuse with other digestive or abdominal pains. If you think you suffer from biliary colic, make an appointment to see your doctor. Observe whether you have abdominal pains and/or biliary colic after eating large or fatty meals, for example like a greasy breakfast with bacon and sausage or a big holiday meal like on Thanksgiving. These are the moments when you are most likely to experience pain and/or biliary colic. In some patients, minor biliary colic, without signs of infection, can be tolerated without medical intervention. This is the main symptom of gallbladder inflammation, which is often caused by gallstones. The pain usually worsens when drawing a breath. You may experience pain between your shoulder blades and in your right shoulder specifically. Gallbladder inflammation is much more serious than biliary colic, and fever is the best way to distinguish between the two symptoms, based on their severity. You should seek medical attention right away if you fear that you have gallbladder inflammation.  Infection develops in about 20 percent of patients, with a higher rate for diabetes patients. Infection can lead to gangrene and perforation of the gallbladder. Jaundice can also accompany fever. Jaundice can present with yellowing of the whites of the eyes (sclera) and skin.
اعلم أن حصوات المرارة لا تُظهر أي أعراض عادة. لاحظ ما إن كنت تعاني من مغص مراري. انتبه لشعورك بعد تناول وجبة كبيرة ودهنية. راقب حدوث ألم جسدي شديد يمتد إلى الظهر أو الكتفين. اختبر التعرّض لحمّى.