What is a gallbladder attack?

Gallbladder Attack

What is a gallbladder attack? A gallbladder attack (also sometimes spelled "gall bladder attack") is gallbladder pain that occurs as a result of a gallbladder problem or gallbladder disease. The medical name for a gallbladder attack is cholecystitis. To understand how a gallbladder attack occurs, you have to understand a little bit about what the gallbladder is and how it works.

Gallbladder attack causes The gallbladder is a sac-like reservoir that stores a substance called bile, which is produced by the liver. Bile breaks down food that you eat so it can be absorbed more easily in the intestines. Sometimes, there's a buildup of cholesterol in the gallbladder. The cholesterol may cause the gallbladder to become swollen and inflamed, which triggers a gallbladder attack.

In some cases, cholesterol and other substances in the gallbladder may even crystallize and form pebble-like substances known as gallstones. These gallstones can be as small as a grain of sand, or as big as a golf ball.

What does a gallbladder attack feel like? Pain from a gallbladder attack usually appears in the abdomen just below the ribcage, or it may show up in the right shoulder or even in the back between the shoulder blades. This pain, which can last for hours or just a few minutes, is commonly known as a gallbladder attack, or cholecystitis. The condition may also be called biliary disease or biliary colic. Pain can also occur when there's a gallbladder infection or obstruction.

Gallbladder attack symptoms Pain in the regions described above is one of the most typical gallbladder attack symptoms. Other gallbladder attack symptoms include

• nausea
• vomiting
• fever
• chills
• dizziness
• stomach bloating and stomach gas
• light or slate colored stools
• diarrhea and constipation
• headache above the right eye

These gallbladder attack symptoms often show up after you've eaten a big meal full of fried or fatty foods.

Gallbladder attack treatment Gallbladder attack treatment depends on the nature of the cause and the severity of the symptoms (especially pain). Someone experiencing a sudden gallbladder attack may have to be hospitalized immediately, but those who have chronic, recurring gallbladder attacks may also need hospitalization.

Intravenous fluids and electrolytes may help, and the patient will probably not be allowed to have anything to eat or drink. A tube placed through the nose and into the stomach may be necessary to keep the stomach empty and to reduce fluids that may be building up in the intestines. Antibiotics may also be administered.

In many cases, gallbladder surgery will be recommended. Gallbladder removal surgery is possible because the gallbladder is a nonessential organ - the liver normally produces enough bile for the body to function.

Prevention In some cases, preventing a gallbladder attact isn't possible. This is true in situations where the attacks happen in people with a family history of gallbladder problems. Nonetheless, it's believed that even they can reduce their risk by following a healthy low cholesterol gallbladder diet plan. Regular, vigorous exercise also seems to help.

(Editor's note; The words "gallbladder attack" are also spelled gall bladder attack by many individuals. There are also common mispellings, including galbladder attack, gall blader attack, and even gull bladder attack.)