Gallstones
Gallstones are an accumulation of solid bile and several digestive fluids (cholesterols or bilirubin) that are made in the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a four-inch, pear-shaped vital structure that is found just below the liver. They are one of the most popular causes of pain in the upper stomach.
Gallstones don’t necessarily lead to symptoms. but if they obstruct the duct, they can cause upper stomach pain and:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Pains in the back (between shoulder blades).
- Pains in the right shoulder
- Sudden and severe pain in the center of your abdomen and beneath your breastbone
Pains can last from several minutes to a few hours. Doctors also prescribe drugs to help dissolve gallstones. However, treating gallstones may last for a long period (a few months or years) before you begin to see results. In some cases, doctors recommend surgery to remove the gall bladder, which is not required to live and does not affect the ability to digest food.