Gallbladder Pain Symptoms

When there are stones in the gallbladder they are known as gallstones. These gallstones are generally small and hard deposits. It is a sac like organ that generally lies under the liver towards the right side of the abdomen. Maximum people who have gallstones aren't even aware of them. But then there are cases where the gallbladder tends to become inflamed which results in pain, infection and other serious complications.

These gallstones form in a complicated procedure which starts with bile, a fluid which is composed mostly of water, bile salts, lecithin and cholesterol as well. Maximum gallbladder stones are formed due to cholesterol.

90% of all gallstones do not cause any symptoms whatsoever. If there are any chances for the problem to occur is only about 2% per year in the initial 10 years once the stone is formed. Once 10 years have gone the chances for developing the symptoms goes down. For a symptom to develop it takes an approximate of 8 yrs in order to develop. It is believed that small stones cause more symptoms compared to larger and old stones.

Te most common symptom caused by the gallbladder disease is an intermittent pain called the biliary colic which may occur either in the mid or right side of the upper abdomen. A normal attack may have several symptoms. The primary one is a steady gripping or gnawing pain right near the rib cage above the abdomen. This may be quite severe and may shift to the upper back. Others experience the pain behind the breast bone. Chances are there for a feeling of nausea and vomiting as well. The chances of recurrence are there but an attack may just be years apart.

When there is a gallbladder inflammation several symptoms resemble the symptoms of a biliary colic. There is pain in the upper right abdomen which is severe as well as constant which may last for several days in a row. With ever draw of breath the pain tends to increase. Pain may occur under the shoulder blades generally towards the left side. Maximum patients have fever as well as chills causing vomiting and a feeling of nausea.

A chronic gallbladder disease is marked by gallstones and a low grade of inflammation. In a case like this the gallbladder may become scarred as well as stiff. Symptoms would include complains of gas, nausea and also an abdominal discomfort after meals. These may be the most common symptoms but the chances are that they may be vague and indistinguishable from similar complaints in people without a gallbladder disease. It may cause constant bowel movements almost 4-10 per day for a period of 3 months. A condition like this is known as chronic diarrhea.

Stones which are lodged in the common bole duct may cause similar symptoms to that of those produced by stones in the gallbladder. It may also cause other symptoms such as jaundice which lead to the turning of the skin color to brown. The urine becomes dark and the stools become light. The blood pressure may drop with the heartbeat going up rapidly.

• Felicia Byrnes
• 24/04/2009, 12:59 PM
• 0 Comments