The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ that stores bile and releases it into the intestines as the body requires it for digestion of fats and acids. A diseased gallbladder can cause symptoms of indigestion for years before they are attributed to the gallbladder. Symptoms can be caused by infection or by gallstones that block the passage of bile. The specific symptoms depend on the location of the gallstones or the severity of the infection.
Pain
A diseased gallbladder will cause pain in the right upper abdomen that radiates to the upper back, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. Some individuals who suffer from biliary colic may experience pain behind the breast bone. This pain is not relieved by over-the-counter pain relievers, passing gas or changing positions. Large meals with fatty foods can trigger the pain, which usually happens several hours after the meal. The pain can also awaken the individual during the night. Pain from biliary colic will disappear one to three hours after it begins, while pain from acute cholecystitis -- a more severe gallbladder inflammation -- will last longer.
Indigestion
Gallbladder disease can also produce indigestion, especially after fatty or greasy foods are eaten. Individuals may experience nausea, vomiting, bloating and stomach gas. It is not uncommon for those who have gallbladder disease to feel full longer, because food is not digesting as quickly. Patients may also experience gastroesophageal reflux.
Diarrhea and Constipation
A diseased gallbladder can cause stools that are light or chalky colored because of the lack of bile used in the digestive process. Individuals may suffer from alternating diarrhea and constipation and may find themselves frequently using laxatives to relieve their discomfort. Symptoms in the lower intestinal tract are usually chronic and do not involve the acute pain and discomfort of what is frequently thought of as a gallbladder attack. These symptoms occur over several months and may be attributed to other medical conditions if the more common abdominal pain and acute discomfort are not also present.
