Could It Be My Gallbladder?

Cooper Maybe you've had pain that starts suddenly in your upper abdomen. Maybe moving around doesn't make the pain go away. Or, maybe you've had abdominal pain at night that's severe enough to wake you. Maybe it's your gallbladder.

"Just like every other organ in the body, the gallbladder sometimes malfunctions and causes illness," said Jac Cooper, M.D. "There are many factors that can lead to gallbladder problems." Statistics show that 20 million Americans suffer from some gallbladder issues, and women are two times more likely to have a problem than men.

What is It?
The gallbladder is attached to the under-surface of the liver, located behind the lower right rib cage. The function of this organ is to store bile, a liquid made by the liver. Bile is a substance that helps in the digestion of fat. When we eat a meal, the liver produces bile and the gallbladder contracts releasing stored bile to aid in the absorption of fats by the intestines. Bile also neutralizes some of the acids that are released during digestion of food from the stomach.

"Cholecystitis is the inflammation of the gallbladder and is the main reason for surgical removal of the gallbladder," explained Dr. Cooper. "This can be an acute or chronic condition generally associated with gallstones, but not always. There are several conditions that can promote the formation of gallstones. The primary cause is related to increased cholesterol release in the bile. Gallstones vary in size from as small as a grain of sand to as large as an egg."

Gallbladder Symptom Checklist
Do you have any of these gallbladder disease symptoms?

  • Abdominal pain on the right side just below the rib cage
  • Pain between the shoulder blades or beneath the right shoulder blade
  • Bouts of nausea and/or vomiting
  • Greasy foods upset you
  • Frequent gas and bloating
  • Frequent burping
  • Chronic constipation
  • Family history of gallstones or gallbladder removal
  • Chronic indigestion or frequent use of antacids

 

If you have any of these symptoms, Dr. Cooper recommends discussing them with your physician to determine if you may need further testing for gallbladder disease.

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