The gallbladder is a pear-shaped sac located in the right upper abdomen, beneath the liver. This organ holds bile, which helps to digest fats. Common problems in the gallbladder are gallstones, which do not usually pose a serious health concern unless they block the tube leading out of the gallbladder. In such cases, gallstones may cause cholecystitis, or an inflammation of the gallbladder.
Upper Right Abdominal Pain
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, more than 90 percent of patients with gallstones are asymptomatic. If they develop symptoms, the most common one is the upper right abdominal pain that can radiate to the upper back. Pain does not typically last longer than a few hours, and it frequently occurs during the same time of the day. It is uncommon to feel the pain more often than once a week. A large or fatty meal can trigger the pain. If a patient develops cholecystitis, the pain is typically more severe and longer lasting. It is not uncommon for a cholecystitis patient to feel the pain for days. The symptoms get worse when breathing deeply. Over-the-counter pain medicines do not usually relieve the pain.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Patients may experience nausea and vomiting. Patients may feel bloated, especially after a meal, and lose their appetite. People with chronic cholecystitis may develop chronic diarrhea that lasts for three months or longer, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. It is common for such patients to have four to 10 bowel movements per day.
Signs
Approximately one-third of patients with gallbladder problems develop fever or chills. If a patient develops a fever, it is usually of a low grade, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Liver damage sometimes turns the patient's skin and the whites of the eyes into a yellowish color. Patient's urine may also turn a dark tea color, and the stool may become clay colored.
