Have you ever come across someone who has experienced gallstones?
Chances are that you haven’t heard much else about the gallbladder
otherwise.
However, this small, inconspicuous organ can cause problems if it
gets blocked or hindered from functioning. To determine if this
might be the case for you, you can look for 10 common symptoms of
gallbladder problems.
First, the gallbladder is a small sac that sits just below your
liver. Its sole function is to release bile into the digestive tract
to break down foods that you eat, especially fatty foods.
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While many healthy people can live without their gallbladder, it
does help to keep the digestive system running smoothly. You may
have a problem with your gallbladder if you experience:
1. Abdominal pain after meals
If you suffer from abdominal pain, note any consistencies with the
time of day or activities you’re doing. You may notice that the pain
begins or worsens around mealtimes, especially after eating fatty or
greasy foods. If this is the case, your intestines may be having a
difficult time digesting the fat from your meals.
2. Nausea or vomiting
While this symptom alone won’t give you a good indication of a
gallbladder issue, you may experience the nausea and vomiting along
with several other symptoms.
3. Chest pain
Because the gallbladder is located in the upper abdominal area, pain
caused by gallbladder problems can radiate to the chest. Especially
if you’re suffering from a blockage, you might even feel as if
you’re having a heart attack.
4. Jaundice
Jaundice will occur if your gallbladder gets blocked by gallstones.
Because the gallbladder cannot move the bile through the body, bile
will begin to build up and leave excessive amounts of bilirubin in
the blood.
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Eventually, the extra bilirubin will cause yellowing in your skin or
eyes, called jaundice. Seek prompt medical treatment.
5. Intermittent abdominal pain
Another characteristic symptom that you may experience is severe,
intermittent abdominal pain. This pain may last several hours and
may not happen at regular intervals. In fact, they can sometimes
occur with years in between.
Again, this type of pain might be attributed to a gallstone
blockage. With a blockage, the gallbladder may actually be
contracting in an attempt to clear itself of build-up. Your doctor
would describe this contraction as a biliary colic.
6. Fever/chills
A fever related to the gallbladder indicates that you have an
inflammation. Your gallbladder can become inflamed (cholecystitis)
by gallstones, bacterial infection, alcohol consumption or a tumor.
In some cases of gallstone blockage, the gallbladder may even
rupture, a serious danger that requires immediate medical action. If
you have any notion that your fever is related to a gallbladder
problem, see your doctor.
7. Change in the color of urine or stools
When bile is flowing properly through your digestive system, you
should normally have a brown-colored stool. However, a change in
stool color may indicate a gallbladder problem, especially if it is
pale or clay-colored. Your urine can also darken, but this symptom
is more vague and can be related to other problems as well.
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8. Chronic diarrhea
In the case of gallbladder disease, you may notice a general
fullness in your stomach, long-term abdominal discomfort and
excessive gas. In this case, you will likely suffer from chronic
diarrhea as your body struggles to digest properly.
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9. Heartburn and indigestion
By its very definition, indigestion suggests a disruption in the
body’s ability to digest food. Although a common symptom for other
digestive conditions, it can mean that a gallbladder problem exists.
Check into the indigestion if it happens frequently, especially
after meals with fatty foods.
10. Pain when inhaling
Finally, pain related to your gallbladder may increase when you take
in a deep breath. This correlation occurs because of where the
gallbladder is located in the body. The pain may indicate a blockage
in the gallbladder and should be evaluated by a doctor.
Problems associated with the gallbladder can have a variety of
symptoms, depending on the exact condition. However, upper abdominal
pain and difficulty digesting fatty foods are good indications of a
gallbladder problem. While you may not need your gallbladder for
essential, everyday life, you should look into any problems that you
suspect are related to this organ. Then, once you’re cleared by a
doctor, you can safely forget about your gallbladder again.