The gallbladder is located in the right upper abdomen just below the liver. The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped sac that stores excess bile from the liver. The bile is a concentrated mixture of water, cholesterol, fats, bile salts, proteins and bilirubin, which aids in the digestion of fats. The bile is released into the small intestines when fatty foods are ingested. The gallbladder can become diseased due to inflammation, infection or the development of gallstones.
Gallstones
Gallstones are small pebble-like stones that are either formed out of hardened cholesterol or pigment. Cholesterol stones are a yellow-green color and account for about 80 percent of gallstones found in individuals with gallbladder disease. Pigment stones are made of bilirubin and are dark in color.
Inflammation
Cholecystitis, or inflammation of the gallbladder, results from gallstones blocking the cystic duct, which also blocks the flow of bile from the gallbladder. Individuals will inflammation usually experience pain lasting longer than six hours, fever, upper abdominal pain and nausea. Inflammation can cause water to fill the gallbladder and the walls of the gallbladder to thicken.
Infection
Gallbladder infection such as jaundice or gangrene can occur. Jaundice can result from gallstones lodging in the common bile duct, which can prevent bile from passing into the small intestine. Jaundice causes yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, dark urine and clay-colored stools. Gangrene is the death of tissue and occurs when blood supply to an area of the body is lost.
Symptoms
Individuals who have gallbladder disease can either experience symptoms or no symptoms at all. Symptoms of gallbladder disease include upper abdominal pain, gassiness with belching, clay-colored stool, abdominal bloating, nausea, jaundice, indigestion, constipation and fever. Some common gallbladder attack symptoms include pain in the upper right abdomen that radiates to the middle of the back between the shoulder blades, nausea, vomiting, and bloating in the stomach and chest.
Exercise
A diet low in fat and high in fiber, as well as daily exercise, can reduce the risk of developing gallbladder disease. Maintaining a healthy weight and reducing stress can also reduce chances of developing gallbladder disease. Physical activity has been shown to increase peristalsis in the gut, which may prevent gallstones from forming. Exercise may also reduce triglyceride levels, which play a role in the development of gallstones.
While exercise is good for the prevention of gallbladder disease, it can worsen pain during a gallbladder attack. During a gallbladder attack, any type of movement can worsen the pain. The deep breaths that are taken during exercise can cause abdominal pain to worsen. Most people experiencing gallbladder pain find some relief lying flat on their backs.
