Gallbladder disease often shows up as sudden pain in the upper right abdomen, especially after eating. You may feel bloated, nauseous, or uncomfortable after meals, and the pain can come and go without warning.
Many people mistake these symptoms for indigestion or gas. But when the gallbladder isn’t working properly, it can lead to ongoing digestive problems and more serious complications.
The gallbladder is a small organ under the liver that helps digest fat by storing and releasing bile. When something blocks or affects how it works, it can lead to a group of conditions known as gallbladder disease.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of gallbladder disease in San Antonio, understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options can help you know when to seek care.
Several different conditions can affect the gallbladder:
Gallstones. Also called cholelithiasis, these are the most common type of gallbladder disease. They form when substances in bile, such as cholesterol or bilirubin, become unbalanced and harden into stones.
Cholecystitis. This disease occurs when the gallbladder becomes inflamed, often because a stone blocks the cystic duct. The cystic duct lets bile flow into the gallbladder for storage, and out of the gallbladder when it is needed for digestion.
Choledocholithiasis. When gallstones move into the common bile duct, the tube that carries bile from the liver and gallbladder into the small intestine, they can block bile flow.
Biliary dyskinesia. With this condition, the gallbladder does not empty normally even though no stones are present.
Other conditions are rare, but they are important to recognize because they can cause similar symptoms:
Bile usually contains cholesterol, bile salts, and waste products such as bilirubin. If cholesterol gets too high or the gallbladder does not empty well, small crystals can form. Over time, these crystals can grow into stones.
Several factors increase the risk of gallstones:
The most common symptom of gallbladder disease is pain in the upper right abdomen. This pain may spread to the right shoulder or back. It may also occur along with:
Some people also notice recurring episodes of what feels like severe gas or indigestion. These symptoms may come and go as stones temporarily block the bile ducts and then move.
A gallbladder attack, sometimes called biliary colic, often begins suddenly. The pain starts in the upper abdomen and may become intense over several minutes. It may last anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours. Attacks often occur:
The pain usually peaks and then slowly fades as the gallbladder relaxes or the blockage resolves.
When gallbladder problems are not treated, complications can develop, including:
Ultrasound is usually the first test performed. It can detect gallstones, inflammation, and other abnormalities. Other imaging tests may include:
Sometimes mild symptoms can be managed without surgery. Changes that may help include:
Medications may help dissolve certain types of gallstones in some cases, but they do not work for everyone.
The most common treatment for gallbladder disease with symptoms is cholecystectomy, or surgical removal of the gallbladder. Most procedures are done using laparoscopic surgery. This uses small incisions and often allows you to go home the same day.
After surgery, bile flows directly from the liver into the small intestine instead of being stored in the gallbladder.
Most people digest food normally after surgery. Some may notice temporary changes, such as mild diarrhea or trouble digesting fatty foods. These symptoms usually improve over time.
Gallbladder disease can cause ongoing pain and digestive issues that affect your daily life. While some symptoms may come and go, they can become more serious if left untreated.
Recognizing the signs early can help you avoid complications and get the care you need. If you’re dealing with symptoms of gallbladder disease in the San Antonio area, schedule an appointment with a provider to evaluate your symptoms and discuss the next steps for diagnosis and treatment.
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