Gallbladder Pain - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Introduction:

The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located below the liver. The liver produces bile, and the gallbladder stores and releases the bile, which is a fluid that helps in the process of digesting fats. The bile then reaches the small intestine through the tubes called bile ducts. Gallbladder pain describes the pain due to a disease related to the gallbladder. It feels like sudden and rapidly intensifying pain in the right upper abdomen. Gallbladder pain often comes and goes.

What Are the Causes of Gallbladder Pain?

The possible causes of gallbladder pain include:

• Gallstones: This is one of the primary causes of gallbladder pain. Gallstones refer to the hardened masses of bile. They can be as small as a grain or as large as a golf ball. If the gallstone is too big, it can block the flow of bile in the bile duct and cause a gallbladder attack with severe pain in the right upper side of the abdomen. These attacks happen after a large fatty meal in the evening.

• Perforated Gallbladder: This is caused when the gallstones create a hole in the gallbladder over time. It can cause severe pain in the right upper side of the belly.

• Abscess of the Gallbladder: Abscesses are formed due to infection when gallstones obstruct the bile duct and bile buildups in the gallbladder. Sometimes, the abscess may rupture and empty the contents into the abdominal cavity, resulting in a severe infection called peritonitis.

• Cholecystitis: Cholecystitis refers to the inflammation of the gallbladder, which may be caused due to gallstones, infection, trauma, or tumors. It can be acute or chronic. It causes pain in the right upper side of the belly.

• Gallbladder Cancer: This is a rare disease and difficult to diagnose in its early stages. The symptoms arise when cancer has spread to other organs, and it causes pain in the right upper belly.

• Bile Duct Cancer: If the tumor size is big, it shows symptoms like pain in the abdomen, especially on the right side, and jaundice.

• Bile Duct Scars: Scarring of the bile ducts can block the flow of bile from the liver and gall bladder into the small intestine. This usually causes pain in the right side of the abdomen.

• Acute Cholangitis: It is the inflammation of the bile duct due to an infection that causes right-side pain.

• Choledocholithiasis: The gallstones block the common bile duct, thus blocking bile flow from the liver to the intestine.

• Biliary Dyskinesia: It is a syndrome in which the gallbladder does not empty properly. Since the bile does not empty properly, it results in pain in the gallbladder.

What Are the Other Symptoms Associated With Gallbladder Pain?

The other symptoms associated with gallbladder pain include:

• Nausea or vomiting.

• Fever.

• Chills.

• Radiating pain in the back or chest.

• Jaundice (yellowish discoloration of the skin and other parts of the body.

• Diarrhea.

• Dark urine.

• Pale stools.

• Sleeping on the right side can make the gallbladder pain worse.

Where Does Gallbladder Pain Occur?

Gallbladder pain can occur in different areas. Individuals feel pain in the right upper side of the abdomen since the gallbladder is in that area. Individuals may also experience pain in the chest region and middle portion of the abdomen. Sometimes, gallbladder pain will be felt at the back and right shoulder, referred to as referred pain. Referred pain is experiencing pain in some body part caused by pain in any other body part.

What Are the Factors that Increase the Risk of Gallbladder Pain?

The following are some factors that could raise the likelihood of gallstones:

• Consuming a diet high in fat.

• Consuming a diet high in cholesterol.

• Consuming a diet low in fiber.

• Pregnant women.

• Having a sedentary lifestyle.

• Liver diseases.

• Diabetes.

• Sickle cell anemia (a hereditary blood disorder).

• Rapid weight loss.

• Obesity.

• Leukemia (a type of blood cancer).

What Are the Diagnostic Tests for Gallbladder Pain?

The doctor enquires about the symptoms, medical history, and family history.

• Physical Examination: This is done to locate the area of pain. This test is done by the examiner placing his hand in the right upper abdominal area and asking the patient to breathe deeply. The patient stops breathing because of pain when the examiner touches the inflamed gallbladder (Murphy’s sign).

• Blood Tests: Blood tests are done to find out any infection.

• Ultrasound: This imaging test is used to find out the gallstones. Ultrasound can easily identify the silent gallstones, which do not cause symptoms.

• Computed Tomography (CT) Scan: This imaging procedure uses a combination of X-rays and computers to create detailed cross-sectional images of the gallbladder and bile ducts. A CT scan can identify gallstones and other causes blocking the bile ducts.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): This test uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create bile ducts and gallbladder images.

• Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): This procedure involves using an endoscope. An endoscope is inserted through the mouth directly into the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine to view gallstones and bile ducts.

• Cholescintigraphy: This imaging test can show abnormalities of the gallbladder and bile ducts.

What Is the Treatment for Gallbladder Pain?

Treatment depends on the cause of the gallbladder pain.

• For small gallstones which do not require any treatment, over-the-counter painkillers are given.

• To relieve gallbladder pain, apply a wet towel with warm water to the right upper side of the abdomen for 10 to 15 minutes.

• Lithotripsy is a procedure that uses shock waves to break the gallstones.

• Removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) is the most commonly preferred treatment. Surgery is done through laparoscopy or open surgery. In laparoscopy, several minor cuts are made in the abdomen through which the surgical tools are inserted, and the gallbladder is removed. It is a minimally invasive procedure that has a quicker recovery.

• In open surgery, a large cut is made in the abdomen, and the gallbladder is removed. Surgery for removing the gallbladder is generally safe, but it has complications like infection and injuries to the bile ducts or surrounding blood vessels.

• Patients usually show relief from gallbladder pain and other symptoms after removing the gallbladder.

How to Prevent Gallbladder Pain?

Eating a nutritious diet is the most effective way to avoid gallbladder pain. Some ways to prevent gallbladder pain are as follows:

• Individuals must not consume excessive amounts of the following

  • Saturated fats.

  • Sugars.

  • Salt.

  • Processed carbohydrates.

  • Foods that are fried.

• Individuals must try to include the following in their diet to avoid gallbladder pain.

  • Seafood and lean meats.

  • Foods made from plants.

  • Vegetables and fruits.

  • Foods that are high in fiber.

  • Nuts.

  • Dairy products with less fat.

  • Vitamin C foods like berries.

  • Calcium-rich foods.

Conclusion:

Gallbladder pain is primarily caused by gallstones, which can lead to severe discomfort and complications. While mild cases may benefit from dietary changes, severe cases often require surgical removal of the gallbladder. Fortunately, living without a gallbladder is possible, as bile is directly released into the small intestine for normal digestion.