The gallbladder is a small organ that stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver. It aids in digestion by releasing bile to help break down fatty foods. The gallbladder is located directly under the liver and over time may become diseased or lose function, causing impairment. According to NetDoctor UK, gallbladder disease is more likely to affect the obese, those who have relatives with gallbladder problems, women on contraceptive birth control, patients with high cholesterol and people with chronic intestinal inflammation. The symptoms of a bad gallbladder can vary from mild to debilitating, requiring immediate surgical removal.
Biliary Colic
The most common and mildest form of a bad gallbladder is a condition known as biliary colic. Biliary refers to conditions that involve bile, while colic refers to pains that start and stop abruptly. Biliary colic is often caused by a temporary obstruction of the bile duct. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that the primary symptom is a steady pain in the upper right abdomen near the rib cage. The pain may continue to the upper part of the back. Patients may also experience nausea and vomiting. Changing position and over-the-counter pain relievers are not effective for treating this kind of pain. Painful episodes may cease after one to three hours and occur less than once per week. Large fatty meals may also trigger biliary colic. Episodes are recurrent, but they may occur several years apart from each other.
Acute Gallbladder Inflammation
A more serious condition affecting the gallbladder is a condition called acute cholecystitis. This is a condition in which the ducts in the gallbladder become obstructed, causing painful inflammation and potentially leading to an infection. According to The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library, acute cholecystitis is similar in pain to biliary colic, but the pain lasts longer and is more severe. Vomiting, fever and chills are also common symptoms. Breathing in also makes the pain worse. The symptoms usually start to go away within a few days and completely resolve within one week in around 85 percent of patients, Merck notes. In cases that do not resolve on their own, surgical removal of the gallbladder is usually performed.
Chronic Gallbladder Disease
Some patients may develop chronic gallbladder disease. According to UMMC, this usually involves mild inflammation and gallstones, which are hardened crystallized bodies of bile. If the bile ducts become obstructed for long periods of time, patients may develop jaundice, the yellowing of the skin and eyes. This occurs from bile being displaced into the skin and peripheral bloodstream. Other symptoms may include gas, pain after meals and chronic diarrhea, characterized by four to 10 bowel movements per day. When gallstones are lodged in a duct called the common bile duct, infections may result with symptoms including fever, chills, nausea and severe abdominal pain. Patients may also experience rapid heartbeat and an abrupt drop in blood pressure. Chronic inflammation of the gallbladder can lead to scarring and reduced bile output.
