Located in your upper right belly, your gallbladder is a small organ that does a big job. Playing a key supporting role in digestion, your gallbladder acts as a reservoir for digestive juices that help break down foods — especially fats.
Like any organ, your gallbladder can develop problems, and when those issues occur, it’s common to experience an uncomfortable condition known as a gallbladder attack.
Most attacks happen when hard stones form inside your gallbladder and block the duct that releases digestive juices. While mild cases may be treated with frequent monitoring, surgery is recommended when symptoms become severe.
Delaying treatment for gallbladder problems can result in severe complications. In this post, our team at Desert West Surgery reviews six hallmark symptoms of gallbladder attacks to help you seek treatment as soon as possible.
Most gallbladder attacks involve sharp cramps in your upper right abdomen, the area where your gallbladder is located. You might also have discomfort in the center of your abdomen. Pain often occurs suddenly and worsens quickly.
While this symptom can happen at any time, it’s more common after eating a heavy or fatty meal. Pain can last for a few minutes or for hours — even longer in severe or emergency cases.
Your gallbladder shares the same nerve pathway as your right shoulder. When your gallbladder is irritated or inflamed, you can wind up with pain in your shoulder. This is called referred pain and can also radiate into your upper back and between your shoulder blades.
Because the pain isn’t strictly in your belly, it’s easy to write off as muscle strain. But if your discomfort happens after a big meal or greasy food, it’s important to schedule a visit to rule out gallbladder problems.
As noted, gallbladder attacks typically happen when gallstones block your gallbladder duct. When the duct is blocked, digestive juices back up and digestion can’t happen as it’s supposed to.
For many people, that means nausea and even vomiting can accompany gallbladder attacks. Vomiting can be persistent, putting you at risk of dehydration. If you’re having nausea combined with pain, it’s time to call our office.
Because your gallbladder plays a key role in digestion, an attack can disrupt that process and lead to bloating, gas, and indigestion. Many people complain of an uncomfortable feeling of fullness after eating.
Like discomfort and nausea, bloating and indigestion are more common after eating fatty or fried foods. Since indigestion and bloating are very common problems for millions of people, these mild symptoms are often overlooked until more serious issues, like pain, develop.
Fever is a sign of an infection. If you develop a fever during a gallbladder attack, it could mean your gallbladder is extremely inflamed or infected. You might have chills, sweating, or flu-like symptoms, as well.
Like any infection, gallbladder infections can become serious quickly, making medical attention critical.
Jaundice happens when a yellowish substance called bilirubin builds up in your blood, causing a yellowish tinge to develop in your skin and the whites of your eyes.
Normally, your liver turns bilirubin into the digestive juice called bile, but when your gallbladder isn’t excreting bile the way it’s supposed to, bilirubin builds up in your bloodstream.
Jaundice is often associated with dark urine or pale-colored stools. These symptoms are extremely serious and require immediate medical evaluation by our team.
Initially, it’s not uncommon for gallbladder symptoms to resolve temporarily. But without treatment, symptoms will almost certainly recur, increasing your risk of serious complications.
Our team is skilled in both traditional and minimally invasive surgeries to treat gallbladder problems, relieving your symptoms and improving your digestive health and overall wellness.
To have your symptoms evaluated, call Desert West Surgery and schedule a visit at our Las Vegas location nearest you.
