The gallbladder is a small organ that sits near the liver, in the upper right abdomen. The gallbladder's main function is to store bile, a green-yellow fluid helps the body to digest fats. First, the liver produces bile. Then, the bile travels through narrow tubes, called ducts, to the gallbladder for storage. When the body needs to use bile, such as after eating, the gallbladder contracts, squeezing out the bile through more ducts and into the small intestine, where food is processed and absorbed into the bloodstream. Certain symptoms may suggest a gallbladder problem.
Upper Right Abdominal Pain
Pain in the upper right section of the abdomen may be suggestive of gallbladder dysfunction. The pain may arise suddenly or slowly, feel sharp or dull, and range from mild to severe. The pain may last a few minutes, several hours, or several days, and it can feel worse with deep breathing. Tenderness over the abdomen when touched can also suggest a gallbladder problem. According to MedlinePlus, a division of the National Institutes of Health, the most typical reason for gallbladder pain is a gallstone in a bile duct. This condition is medically known as cholelithiasis. In some cases, gall bladder inflammation may result, a condition called cholecystitis. Gallbladder cancer is also possible, and although it's relatively uncommon, it's fatal when detected late. Abdominal pain can have a wide range of underlying causes besides gallbladder dysfunction, so a health care professional should be consulted.
Pain In or Around the Shoulders
Gallbladder-related pain may occur only in the right upper abdomen, or it may start there and radiate to the right shoulder. Alternatively, the pain may shoot to the back, especially between the shoulder blades. The pain can be sharp and last for minutes, hours, or days. Depending on the nature of the problem, painful attacks may occur as isolated events or happen frequently.
Difficulty with Eating
Because the gallbladder participates in the digestive process, symptoms often occur after eating. This may be especially noted when a meal is particularly large or heavy, or it has a high fat content. If the pain occurs frequently, a person may eventually lose his appetite.
Nausea & Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting may occur from a gallbladder attack, especially when the pain is severe. The nausea usually subsides with the resolution of the attack.
Fever & Chills
Fever can occur with cholecystitis, with a person's temperature rising above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library states, however, that if a gallbladder disorder is chronic, fever symptoms can be more subtle. The same is true for older people.
