Blocked bile ducts are often referred to as gallbladder attacks, because symptoms may occur suddenly. Inflammation causes a gallbladder attack. Attacks can occur at night or after eating foods high in fat. Symptoms of a gallbladder attack include steady pain in the right upper abdomen that increases rapidly, lasting up to 30 minutes or longer; pain in the back between the shoulder blades; and pain under the right shoulder.
Bile Duct Obstruction
A bile duct obstruction is a blockage in the tubes that carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder and small intestine. Symptoms include upper-right abdominal pain, dark urine, fever, itching, jaundice, nausea, vomiting and pale-colored stools. Possible causes of a blocked bile duct include cysts, enlarged lymph nodes, gallstones, inflammation of the bile ducts, gallbladder injury, bile duct or biliary system tumors and pancreatic tumors.
Gallstones
Gallstones are small, pebble-like substances that form in the gallbladder. They occur when bile stored in the gallbladder hardens into pieces. Gallstones can block flow of bile from the gallbladder and lodge in hepatic, cystic or common bile ducts that carry bile from the liver to the small intestine. Gallstones cause pain when the stones pass from the gallbladder into the bile ducts and cause a blockage. If the blockage persists, the gallbladder becomes inflamed--a condition known as cholecystitis.
Cholecystitis
Cholecystitis is defined as inflammation of the gallbladder and is caused by the blockage from gallstones creating a buildup of bile. Symptoms can include severe, steady pain in the right upper abdomen, radiating pain from the abdomen to the right shoulder or back, abdominal tenderness, sweating, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, fever, chills and abdominal bloating.
