The complications of gallstones are thankfully uncommon, but may be serious and occasionally dangerous.
Jaundice - Yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes caused by blockage of the bile duct by an "escaped" gallstone. This is associated with the passage of dark urine and pale stools.
The stone may well need to be removed to hasten your recovery.
Cholangitis - Serious and potentially dangerous infection when a gallstone becomes trapped within the bile duct and the trapped bile becomes infected.
The stone must be removed as a matter of urgency to enable free drainage of the bile and resolve the infection.
Strong antibiotics are required to help with the infection.
Pancreatitis - A potentially dangerous inflammation of the pancreas gland associated with blockage of the bile duct with a stone.
Hospitalisation is necessary as this condition may be life threatening.