Signs of a Gall Bladder Attack

What happens when you have a gall bladder attack?  While the gall bladder is one organ that goes unnoticed until there is pain, you should be made aware of some common signs that tell you something is wrong.  But, first, let’s discuss what a gall bladder does.

What is the function of a gall bladder?  Found just below the liver, the gall bladder is a sac that stores bile from the liver.  As the gall bladder releases bile into the small intestine, it is needed to break down the foods you eat—especially when you eat fatty foods.

While not usually known to cause problems, there can be a problem if there is a sudden blockage of the flow of bile from the gall bladder.  This can lead to gall bladder disease.  Let’s go into what can go wrong if this happens?

What are some problems from a gall bladder attack?  While most people suffer from no symptoms, gallstones, or cholelithiasis, can develop in the gallbladder.  When this happens, the bile can thicken and cause infection.  If an infection does occur, there is inflammation generally on the wall of the gallbladder.  Inflammation that is not treated can spread to other areas of the gallbladder which can irritate the diaphragm and intestines.  If the case gets to the extreme, this can cause tissues to die, or necrosis, and possibly the gallbladder to rupture.  Let’s discuss how to tell signs of an inflamed gallbladder.

What are some signs that your gallbladder is inflamed?  The most common pain usually is pain in the upper abdomen.  While it may come and go at first, it can lead to constant pain sometimes bringing nausea, vomiting, or fever.  Sometimes an inflamed gallbladder can result in no gallstones with similar symptoms.  If this happens, there may be fever and sepsis, which can be dangerous and lead to infection in the entire body.

Other symptoms can include a sensation of fullness, a palpable gallbladder and jaundice.  Sometimes elderly and those with diabetes can diffuse their pain when suffering from an inflamed gallbladder.  Stones in the bile duct that cause inflammation will have chest pain in the right side.  Often with nausea or queasiness may cause frequent gas, with little or no belching or burping.  The stomach can be so painful that you can hardly breathe, or you may not be able to walk without bending.  The pain can be in the shoulder blade or in between the blades and is most common in gallbladder attack.  This pain can range from sharp, excruciating to dull and can also happen at night.

Sources

Rodriguez, Diana.  Signs and Symptoms of Gallbladder Problems.  Everyday Health.  http://www.everydayhealth.com/gallbladder/signs-and-symptoms-of-gallbladder-problems.  Retrieved June 21, 2012.

Inflamed Gallbladder Symptoms. http://topics.info.com/Inflamed-Gallbladder-Symptoms_3926.  Retrieved June 21, 2012.

Gallbladder Attack.  http://www.gallbladderattack.com.  Retrieved June 21, 2012.