Gallstones are hard deposits that form in your gallbladder, a small organ under the liver.

The signs and symptoms of gallstones can vary, and many people with gallstones don’t have any symptoms.

However, if a gallstone blocks one of the bile ducts, it can cause a sudden and rapidly intensifying pain in the upper right portion of your abdomen, the center of your abdomen, or the upper back between your shoulder blades.

This is known as a gallbladder attack, which can last from a few minutes to several hours.

These symptoms may be a sign of a serious complication, such as inflammation, infection, or damage to the gallbladder, liver, or pancreas.

If you experience any of these symptoms, especially severe abdominal pain, jaundice, or fever and chills, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately.

They can range in size from as small as a grain of sand to as large as a golf ball.

Some people develop just one gallstone, while others develop many gallstones at the same time.

Gallstones form when there’s an imbalance in the substances that make up bile, a fluid produced by your liver that helps digest fats. Bile contains cholesterol, bile salts, and bilirubin, a byproduct of red blood cells.

If the bile contains too much cholesterol or bilirubin, it can harden into stones.

There are two types of gallstones:

1. Cholesterol stones: These are usually yellow in color and are most commonly formed when there’s too much cholesterol in the bile.

2. Pigment stones: These are dark in color and are formed when the bile has too much bilirubin.

Many people with gallstones don’t have any symptoms and don’t need treatment. However, if a gallstone blocks one of the bile ducts, it can cause sudden, severe pain that requires immediate medical attention.