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What Are Gallbladder Problems Caused From?

Illustration of a gallbladder polyp
Gallbladder problems can be caused by gallstones, gallbladder inflammation (cholescystitis), bile backing up into the gallbladder, gallbladder polyps, gallbladder rupture, and others.

The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ located under the liver that stores bile, a fluid that helps the body break down fat in food.

When you have an issue with your gallbladder, you may be having symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, digestive problems, and others.

Gallbladder problems can be caused by the following conditions:

  • Gallstones (also called gallstone disease, or cholelithiasis) 
    • Cholesterol and other substances found in bile form stones
    • When stones pass from the gallbladder into the small intestine or get stuck in the biliary duct it can cause pain, called biliary colic, or a “gallbladder attack” 
    • The pain of a gallbladder attack may resemble a heart attack - see your doctor right away if you have chest pain
  • Gallbladder inflammation (cholescystitis) 
  • Bile backing up into the gallbladder may cause the gallbladder to swell
  • Gallbladder polyps
  • Gallbladder rupture
  • Acalculous gallbladder disease or gallbladder dyskinesia
  • Congenital defects of the gallbladder
  • Gangrene or abscesses
  • Sclerosing cholangitis
  • Gallbladder cancer
  • Gallbladder and bile duct tumors 

What Are Symptoms of Gallbladder Problems?

Symptoms of gallbladder problems include:

  • Gallstones
    • Severe pain in the upper right abdomen
    • Pain in the shoulder or the right side of the back 
    • Upset stomach
    • Indigestion
    • Nausea 
    • Vomiting
    • Chest pain
    • Gas
    • Dark urine 
    • Yellowing skin and eyes (jaundice) 
    • Lighter colored stools  
    • Fast heartbeat and abrupt blood pressure drop
    • Fever
    • Chills
  • Intermittent pain (biliary colic)
    • Pain in the upper right abdomen near the rib cage; may be severe 
    • Can radiate to the upper back
    • May be accompanied by nausea or vomiting 
  • Inflammation in the gallbladder (acute cholecystitis)
    • Severe and constant pain in the upper right abdomen that may last for days
    • Pain can worsen on inhalation
    • Fever and chills 
    • Nausea and vomiting may occur
  • Chronic gallbladder disease

How Are Gallbladder Problems Diagnosed?

Gallbladder problems are diagnosed with a patient history and physical exam, and tests including:

  • Blood tests
  • Imaging tests
    • Ultrasound 
    • Computed tomography (CT) scan
    • Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)
    • Hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan
    • Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

What Is the Treatment for Gallbladder Problems?

Treatment for gallbladder problems may include: 

  • Pain medications 
    • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) 
      • Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) 
      • Naproxen (Aleve)
    • Narcotic analgesics
  • Bile acid pill
  • Gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy)
    • Usually the main treatment for gallbladder problems is surgery

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References
Image Source: iStock Images

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/gallstones-beyond-the-basics?search=Gallstones&source=search_result&selectedTitle=5~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=4

https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/175667-overview#showall

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/gallbladder-removal-cholecystectomy-the-basics?search=gallbladder%20surgery&source=search_result&selectedTitle=2~84&usage_type=default&display_rank=2

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/gallbladder-disease