Common Gallbladder Problems
Common Gallbladder Problems and Symptoms
When you hear someone talk about common gallbladder problems, they're usually talking about gallstones
or a gall bladder attack.
A gallbladder attack occurs when the gallbladder becomes inflamed, causing severe pain in the upper right side
of the chest. Back pain between the shoulder blades may also be a symptom of a gallbladder disorder.
Any gallbladder problem that causes the gallbladder to empty inadequately or not often enough can lead to a
gallbladder attack.
A gallbladder attack can also result when too much bile accumulates in the gallbladder and it becomes swollen
and inflamed. This is known as cholecystitis. Eating fatty foods such as chocolate, cheese or pastry sometimes
trigger a gallbladder attack.
Gallstones
 A gallbladder attack can also be caused by the presence of gallstones. Gallstones are small, hard substances that look like pebbles. They form when bile
stored in the gallbladder hardens because there's too much cholesterol present.
Other factors may include excess bilirubin, or not enough bile salts, and when the gallbladder does not empty
completely or often enough. The reason these imbalances occur is not known.
Gallstones cause pain and inflammation as they work their way through the biliary duct toward the small
intestine.
Symptoms of a gallbladder disorder may include severe pain in the upper right abdomen or chest, just below the
ribs. Other symptoms include fever, nausea, and vomiting. Someone with a gallbladder dysfunction may also
experience chills, shaking, heartburn, a yellowish color of the skin or whites of the eyes, and clay-colored
stools.
The medical name for gallstones is cholelithiasis. Gallstones are found in approximately 80% of patients
with gallbladder cancer.
Gallbladder Cancer
Gallbladder cancer is an rare form of gallbladder disease that rarely produces symptoms. It's usually only detected in the early stages during gallbladder surgery.
Otherwise, it's usually not diagnosed until it has become advanced.
When gallbladder cancer is caught early, removing your gallbladder or part of the bile duct may eliminate all the cancerous cells.
In advanced cases, treatment won't cure gallbladder cancer but can help relieve symptoms and improve your
quality of life.
Who's at Risk for Gallbladder Problems?
The following groups are most likely to experience some form of gallbladder problem or disease:
- pregnant women
- women who have undergone hormone replacement therapy, or take birth control pills
- anyone over age 60
- anyone who is very overweight or obese
- people who are trying to lose weight fast, especially through crash diets
- people with a family history of gallstones
- diabetics
- people who take cholesterol medications
- anyone with liver cirrhosis
- anyone undergoing long-term intravenous nutrition
- someone who has had surgery for peptic ulcers
When to See a Doctor
Prolonged pain (more than 5 hours) in the upper right abdomen or chest area may be a clue that some kind of
gallbladder disease is underway. Pain may also spread to the back. Such pain typically follows a large fatty meal
because gallbladder problems often result from the presence of too much cholesterol.
Anyone with gallbladder pain or some of the symptoms mentioned above should seek medical attention
immediately.
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