The gallbladder, a pear-shaped organ found in the upper right portion of the abdomen, functions to store bile produced by the liver until needed by the small intestine. The substances in bile, which include bile salts, bilirubin--a waste product from the breakdown of red blood cells--cholesterol and fats, can harden forming gallstones. Although the University of Maryland Medical Center reports that about 90 percent of gallstones cause no symptoms, the presence of gallstones can result in complications.
Acute Cholecystitis
Acute cholecystitis describes a condition of sudden onset of inflammation in the gallbladder. Approximately 1 to 3 percent of patients with symptomatic gallstones will develop acute cholecystitis, according to research published by Indar and Beckingham in "BMJ." The inflammation occurs when the gallstone blocks the cystic duct.
Acute cholecystitis causes severe and constant pain in the upper right portion of the abdomen. The pain, which may radiate to the back and be felt under the shoulder blades, may last for several days. Approximately one-third of patients will experience fever and chills, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, and many will exhibit nausea and vomiting.
Chronic Cholecystitis
The presence of gallstones can also cause chronic cholecystitis---long-term inflammation of the gallbladder. Long-term gallbladder inflammation damages the tissues in the gallbladder, resulting in the formation of scar tissue. Patients with chronic cholecystitis experience repeated attacks of biliary colic---intermittent gnawing and sometimes severe pain in the upper right abdomen. Chronic cholecystitis also causes chronic diarrhea, which the University of Maryland Medical Center defines as four to 10 loose, watery bowel movements for at least three months.
Acute Cholangitis
Gallstones that enter the common bile duct can interfere with the flow of bile to the small intestines and result in an obstruction. This can lead to acute cholangitis, a condition that occurs when bacteria from the duodenum--the upper portion of the small intestine--enters the bile duct. Patients with acute cholangitis exhibit jaundice--yellowing of the skin and eyes--fever and right upper abdominal pain, as described by information published by Dr. Chi-Leung Liu and Dr. Sheung-Tat Fan in "Surgical Treatment." The presence of bacteria in the biliary system can lead to sepsis, a potentially life-threatening condition.
Pancreatitis
The pancreas, a large organ near the small intestine, produces and secretes pancreatic enzymes into the common bile duct to join bile that goes to the small intestine. The presence of gallstones in the common bile duct interferes with the flow of enzymes, which can cause inflammation of the pancreas---a condition known as pancreatitis. Gallstones are the most common cause of the 210,000 cases of acute pancreatitis in the United States each year, as reported by the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.
Pancreatitis causes pain in the upper abdomen, nausea, vomiting, fever and a rapid pulse. Severe cases of acute pancreatitis can cause dehydration and low blood pressure that leads to heart, lung or kidney failure.
