Gallstones

What it means

Many gallstones cause no symptoms. When a stone blocks a bile duct, it can cause a gallbladder attack: steady pain in the upper right belly that may spread to the back or right shoulder, sometimes with nausea or vomiting.

The NIDDK lists overweight and obesity as risk factors, and also notes that losing weight very quickly can raise the chance of forming gallstones. That is one reason gallbladder problems are listed in the warnings for GLP-1 weight-management medicines.

Get medical care right away for belly pain lasting several hours, fever or chills, or yellowing of the skin or eyes. These can signal a blocked duct, infection or pancreatitis.

Gallstones that cause symptoms are usually treated by removing the gallbladder, often with keyhole surgery. People can live normally without a gallbladder, though some notice changes in digestion of fatty foods.

Why it matters

Faster weight loss on a GLP-1 can raise gallstone risk, so upper right belly pain should not be ignored.