Identifying Gallbladder Problems: What Are the Symptoms?

When you have gallbladder problems, you will feel a series of symptoms. For some people, it is intermittent and mild pain. For others, it is frequent and severe. In some cases, it may be limited to the gallbladder area, whereas in others, it may radiate to other points (i.e., back or chest).

To avoid any serious health issues, you should know where your pain is coming from. Also, you need to understand exactly what it means in order to get the appropriate treatment. In this article, we will go through some of the most common gallbladder problems so that you’ll know what to do about them.

Identifying Gallstone Issues

Gallstones are small, hard deposits that grow in the gallbladder and affect about 10 to 15 percent of the population. They can cause various problems, including cholecystitis or common bile duct infection, making them the number one issue for gallbladder problems. Here are the most common issues associated with gallstones, along with their symptoms:

1. Common Bile Duct Stones

Also referred to as choledocholithiasis, this problem appears when you have a gallstone in your common bile duct. In most cases, the gallstones form in the gallbladder and get stuck in the common bile duct. That being said, they can also form in the bile duct itself. The main symptom is pain, located slightly below the gallbladder.

2. Gallstone Ileus

Gallstone ileus happens when a gallstone travels into your intestine and blocks it. This can lead to various complications, some of which can be fatal. The most common symptoms of this condition are abdominal pain, nausea, distension, constipation, and vomiting. Symptoms often feel worse as the gallstone is passing through your intestinal tract.

3. Perforated Gallbladder

While rare, perforated gallbladders can also cause a lot of complications. This condition happens when you leave gallstones untreated for too long, causing them to grow and perforate the gallbladder. If the perforation is not found, it may lead to abdominal infection. The most common symptoms of this condition include abdominal tenderness, pain, nausea, vomiting, jaundice, or fever. You should contact Dr. Moore if you notice these symptoms, as an untreated ruptured gallbladder can turn life-threatening. Tears don’t fix themselves, so you’ll need gallbladder surgery.

Other Gallbladder Diseases

While the most common issues are linked to gallstones, you should also keep an eye out for other diseases. Any condition that affects the proper functioning of your gallbladder is referred to as gallbladder disease. Below are the most common gallbladder issues you can come across:

• Gallbladder Inflammation: Also referred to as cholecystitis, this condition causes inflammation that can be either chronic or acute. 
• Porcelain Gallbladder: This disease happens when calcium deposits get attached to your gallbladder walls, causing them to become more rigid. 
• Gallbladder Polyps: These are tissue growths that are normally benign but have the potential to be cancerous. Their removal is recommended to avoid other problems.
• Gallbladder Cancer: This condition is very rare but can spread very quickly if it’s not treated on time.

It is best to schedule a consultation with Dr. Moore if you suspect a gallbladder condition so that he can come up with the most appropriate treatment.

The Bottom Line

Gallbladder issues can be quite problematic in the long run, which is why you should have them checked. This can prevent the conditions from becoming even worse. Set up an appointment with Dr. Patrick Moore and make sure the cause of the symptoms is addressed!

For more information about gallbladder issues, you can contact Dr. Patrick Moore at 951-477-5700. He will provide the support that you need.