Gallbladder problems take a variety of forms. Gallstones, gallbladder attacks, acute and chronic inflammatory conditions, infections and obstruction of the larger bile system can cause symptomatic gallbladder disease. Symptoms of the various types of gallbladder problems commonly overlap. Subtle differences in the nature and duration of the symptoms, physical signs and diagnostic testing help distinguish different types of gallbladder problems.
Abdominal Pain and Tenderness
Right-sided upper abdominal pain is a characteristic feature of gallbladder disease. With a gallbladder attack caused by gallstones, the pain occurs suddenly and typically builds to a high intensity over a period 15 to 60 minutes, reports "The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals." Pain frequently extends to the back or right shoulder. Constant pain characteristically continues for up to 12 hours before subsiding. A residual ache in the right upper abdomen may persist after a gallbladder attack ends, slowly fading over a period of hours.
A gallbladder attack may progress to gallbladder inflammation, or acute cholecystitis. This condition causes similar but more intense pain than a gallbladder attack. Attempts to take a deep breath aggravate the pain. The right upper abdomen is typically tender. The pain often persists for several days, in sharp contrast to an uncomplicated gallbladder attack. Fever occurs with acute cholecystitis, which also distinguishes this condition from a gallbladder attack.
Vague, persistent abdominal discomfort may occur with chronic cholecystitis, a condition of low-level, persistent gallbladder inflammation. Gallbladder cancer can also cause abdominal discomfort or pain.
Nausea, Vomiting and Loss of Appetite
Nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite frequently occur with gallbladder attacks, acute cholecystitis and bile flow blockage due to a gallstone, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. Gallbladder cancer can also cause nausea and loss of appetite, according to MayoClinic.com.
Jaundice, Pale Stools and Dark Urine
Gallstone blockage of the common bile duct--the tube that delivers bile from the gallbladder to the small bowel--can lead a yellow discoloration of the skin known as jaundice. A buildup of bilirubin, a yellow chemical normally converted into bile by the liver, discolors the skin and whites of the eyes.
Increased bilirubin in the blood may spill into the urine, giving it a dark yellowish-brown appearance. Lack of bile in the intestine causes lightening of the stools to a white or clay color, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Fever and Chills
Fever and chills in the presence of characteristic gallbladder pain typically signifies a condition other than a simple gallbladder attack. Acute cholecystitis, an infection of the bile system, or blockage of the common bile duct typically causes fever and chills, notes "The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals." Each of these conditions requires medical intervention to prevent potentially life-threatening complications.
Notably, a low-grade intermittent fever in the presence of vague abdominal discomfort can be a symptom of gallbladder cancer, notes MayoClinic.com.
References
- Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals: Choledocholithiasis and Cholangitis
- Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals: Cholelithiasis
- Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals: Cholecystitis
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Gallstones and Gallbladder Disease Symptoms
- MayoClinic.com: Gallstones, Symptoms
