The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ located under the liver in the right upper portion of the abdomen. The gallbladder stores bile that it receives from the liver, and moves the bile, through contraction, to the intestine. According to the American Gastroenterological Association, or AGA, the liver makes about 3 cups of bile every day; some substances in bile, like bile salts and lecithin, act like a cleanser, breaking up fat so it is easily digested.
Cholelithiasis
According to the book "Primary Care," 20 to 25 million Americans have cholelithiasis, or gallstones, though most of these people do not have any symptoms. If symptoms are present, they include steady pain in the upper portion of the abdomen or on the right side; the sharp pain can last a few minutes or several hours, notes the AGA. Small stones can pass through the common bile duct with no distress; larger stones cause blockage, resulting in pain, nausea and vomiting. Other symptoms include pain between the shoulder blades or in the right shoulder, and sweating. Gallbladder stones are composed of cholesterol, pigment or both. The symptoms usually start after eating a meal, but can start several hours afterward, including at night. The exact cause of gallstones is unclear; contributing factors include a large amount of cholesterol in the bile, bile stasis resulting from a lack of gallbladder contraction usually seen with periods of dieting or fasting, or genetic factors, notes the book "Clinical Medical-Surgical Nursing: A Decision-Making Reference."
Cholecystitis
Cholecystitis, or inflammation of the gallbladder, occurs due to obstruction on the cystic duct or passageway, or from bile stasis, bacteria or infection, notes "Clinical Medical-Surgical Nursing: A Decision-Making Reference." Cholecystitis happens when stones become impacted in the cystic duct, causing obstruction, swelling and inflammation. The pain of cholecystitis differs from gallstone pain; cholecystitis causes tenderness in the right upper quadrant, the upper central region of the abdomen, or both. Besides the regular gallstones symptoms, flatulence, bloating and jaundice, or a yellowing of the skin and eyes, can also occur. Jaundice appears as a result of bile accumulating in the liver and then being forced into the blood, causing what is known as hyperbilirubinemia. There may also be fatty or clay-colored stools due to a lack of bile in the duodenum.
Cholelithiasis With Cholangitis
Cholangitis is an inflammation of the bile duct that results from a gallstone getting stuck and causing bile stagnation, notes GallbladderAttack.com. Cholangitis requires immediate attention--the duct must be decompressed to prevent an infection. Fever, jaundice and right upper quadrant abdominal pain accompany this complication. MayoClinic.com mentions chills, diarrhea, fatigue and itchiness as additional symptoms of cholangitis.
References
- American Gastroenterological Association: Understanding Gallstones
- "Primary Care"; Terry Mahan Buttaro; 2008
- "Clinical Medical-Surgical Nursing: A Decision-Making Reference"; George-Gay; 2002
- Gallbladder Attack: All About Gallbladder Disease
- Mayo Clinic: Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
