The gallbladder, a sac-like organ, functions as a reservoir to hold bile, a substance produced by the liver to aid in digestion. Inflammation of the gall bladder, a condition known as cholecystitis, can occur either suddenly--known as acute cholecystitis--or remain as a long-term disease, known as chronic cholecystitis. The Merck Manual reports that approximately 95 percent of acute cholecystitis cases occur as a result of gallstones. Gallstones form when substances in bile become too concentrated and fall out of solution. The gallstones can block the cystic duct therefore trapping the bile in the gallbladder causing irritation and pressure that leads to inflammation and noticeable symptoms.
Abdominal Pain
Because so many organs reside in the abdominal region, abdominal pain is a common symptom, according to MedlinePlus, a publication of the National Institutes of Health. The pain produced by inflammation of the gallbladder; however, exhibits several unique characteristics.
The gallbladder resides under the liver in the upper right portion of the abdominal cavity. Inflammation of the gallbladder causes severe pain felt in the upper right abdomen that often radiates to the back under the shoulder blades.
Although the occurrence of gallstones, a less severe condition, can also cause abdominal pain, cholecystitis produces continuous steady pain that may last from several hours to several days, according to MayoClinic.com. Gallstones cause intermittent pain that lasts from one to several hours, as described by the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Fever
Although inflammation of the gallbladder usually occurs due to gallstones, a bacterial infection in the bile can also cause cholecystitis. In addition, a gallbladder infection can occur as a complication of the cholecystitis. The presence of a bacterial infection that either causes the cholecystitis or occurs as a result of cholecystitis can cause a fever. Approximately one-third of the patients suffering from acute cholecysitis develop a fever that rises above 100.4 degree F.
Jaundice
Jaundice, a condition characterized by the yellow appearance of the skin or eyes, can occur as a result of inflammation of the gallbladder. Inflammation of the gallbladder inhibits the flow of bile into the small intestine. Bile, which aids in the digestion of fats, contains bile salts, cholesterol, fats, and bilirubin--a brownish-yellow waste product produced when the liver breaks down old red blood cells. As bile builds up in the gallbladder and the liver, it leaks into the bloodstream. As bilirubin accumulates in the blood, jaundice occurs.
Loss of Appetite
Inflammation of the gallbladder results in a loss of appetite for many reasons. The abdominal pain can be so severe that it triggers nausea and vomiting, which contributes to a loss of appetite. The inflammation also causes abdominal bloating, making the patient feel a sensation of fullness, even without eating. Also, the lack of bile in the small intestines inhibits the breakdown of fats, therefore interfering with the absorption of nutrients. This can lead to diarrhea and causes the gallbladder symptoms to worsen after eating meals, resulting in a loss of appetite.
