Gallstones are formed in the gallbladder, a small organ located under the liver. They are typically made of cholesterol but can also be made of other substances, such as bilirubin, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Gallstones can vary in size — some appear the size of a sand grain while others are as big as a golf ball, per the Mayo Clinic. They can cause symptoms such as pain in the upper right abdomen, nausea, vomiting, and fever. In some cases, they may cause no symptoms at all.
Kidney stones, on the other hand, form in the kidneys, which are located mid-back just under the ribcage on each side of the body (via American Kidney Fund). There are various types of kidney stones — most are typically made of calcium, but some are also made of other substances such as uric acid or cystine, explains the Mayo Clinic. Kidney stones can also vary in size — from as small as a sand grain to as big as a golf ball, per the Cleveland Clinic – with the majority being about the size of a chickpea. They can cause symptoms such as severe pain in the lower back or side, blood in the urine, and nausea or vomiting.
