{"id":3569,"date":"2019-10-14T10:17:33","date_gmt":"2019-10-14T10:17:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/?p=3569"},"modified":"2021-08-11T04:32:03","modified_gmt":"2021-08-11T04:32:03","slug":"14-symptoms-of-a-gallbladder-attack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/14-symptoms-of-a-gallbladder-attack\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Symptoms of a Gallbladder Attack"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Your gallbladder is an organ that sits right below the liver. It provides an important function for the body as it is in charge of releasing bile that is made by the liver into the intestines. Bile is responsible for breaking down fats. Many people experience issues with their gallbladder that will require a change in their diet or to have the gallbladder completely removed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are a number of risk factors that can contribute to problems with the gallbladder. Some of these risk factors include age, gender (women are more likely to have gallbladder issues than men), and lifestyle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a person ages, the incidence of experiencing gallbladder symptoms rises with people over the age of sixty being the most susceptible. The symptoms of gallbladder issues can range from mild to severe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are 12 of the most common symptoms experienced if your gallbladder is not working properly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Acute Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If your gallbladder <\/a>is struggling to work correctly you may experience acute pain. This pain will typically be located on the upper right side. It may also be in the middle of the abdomen. This pain typically occurs right after eating a big meal. If you experience this type of pain you may be experiencing acute cholecystitis. Acute cholecystitis is described as being the most common type of gallbladder disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Often times this condition is caused by gallstones. Gallstones appear from a buildup of cholesterol or calcium. The condition may also be a result of tumors. The acute pain may be dull aching or sharp twinges that extend up through the shoulder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If appropriate dietary changes are not made, the acute illness may lead to a chronic issue. This can lead to the gallbladder losing all its functions and may result in needing to have it removed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. Fever<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A fever <\/a>can be a sign of many types of illnesses. If you develop a fever and also have pain in the abdominal area, you may have a problem with your gallbladder. When a gallstone becomes trapped in the neck of the gallbladder it can cause the gallbladder to become inflamed. This inflammation can result in a disease called cholecystitis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inflammation that occurs is caused by the bile building up in the gallbladder. This inflammation is what may cause a fever to develop as the body is trying to fight off the infection that has developed. It is important to note that when cholecystitis is left untreated it can lead to serious and sometimes life-threatening complications. This includes the gallbladder possibly rupturing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you develop a fever and it is accompanied by any of the other symptoms on this list, it is important to get checked by your doctor right away. Often times cholecystitis can lead to the gallbladder needing to be removed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. Jaundice<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Jaundice <\/a>is a condition that causes the whites of the eyes and the skin to become yellow in color. While jaundice is often associated with the liver not functioning properly, it can also be a symptom of gallbladder disease. The skin becomes yellowish in color as a result of too much bilirubin in the blood. This is called hyperbilirubinemia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jaundice may be caused by a number of different issues, but problems with the gallbladder can be one of them. Bilirubin is typically eliminated from the body through the bile ducts and out the urine or stool. If there is a blockage in these ducts, the bilirubin can build up in the body. This will end up showing through the skin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice that the whites of your eyes are turning yellowish and you have some of the other symptoms on this list, chances are that there is an issue with your gallbladder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Unusual Stool Color<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The normal color of stool is brownish and possibly greenish depending on the types of food that you eat. When a gallbladder <\/a>issue arises in a person, the color of the stool may become lighter than normal. The stool may appear to look almost chalky. The main reason for this change in the color of the stool is that the gallbladder is not breaking down fats effectively. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When this occurs, the fat passes through the body into the stool in almost a whole form, which causes the stool to have a whitish or chalky appearance. If you are having some of the other issues that are described and you do not normally examine your stools, it is a good time to start. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way that your stools look can be a good indicator of what is going on in your body. If your stools are looking light in color, a trip to the doctor may be in order. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. Diarrhea<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Issues with the gallbladder can cause all types of issues with the digestive system. One of those issues is with the process of stool elimination. A person who is struggling with gallbladder issues may experience loose stools or diarrhea<\/a>. This is just another sign that fats are not being broken down correctly in the body by the gallbladder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is quite common for a person who is experiencing issues with their gallbladder to have frequent bouts of diarrhea that may go on for quite some time, like for a week or more. Diarrhea is something that many people experience every once in a while. This is not a real health concern in most cases.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if you are experiencing diarrhea on a regular basis and it seems to last for several days or even weeks at a time, it is a good idea to discuss it with a medical professional. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

6. Chills and Shaking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you start to experience chills and began shaking and it is not from simply being cold, you may have some type of health issue going on. Getting the shakes and feeling chilled may be a sign of your gallbladder not functioning properly. The shaking is caused by an infection within the gallbladder. The symptoms may worsen depending on how much of the bile tract is blocked by a stone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since a buildup of gallstones is one of the main reasons that a gallbladder stops functioning properly, it makes sense that gallstones <\/a>can cause a blockage to occur that results in a bacterial infection. If you have a fever, chills, and shaking and it is accompanied by acute pain in the stomach area, or if you are suffering from any of the other symptoms on this list, chances are there is an issue with your gallbladder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is best to have it checked out by a medical professional in order to determine the best course of action. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. Nausea and Vomiting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Feeling sick to your stomach can be the result of many different issues. However, nausea and vomiting is a common symptom of all gallbladder related health issues. Only chronic gallbladder issues will cause digestive issues such as gas, nausea<\/a>, acid reflux, and vomiting. When you have a gallbladder that is not functioning properly you may feel sick to your stomach the majority of the time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is likely that you will feel more nauseous after you eat a meal and this feeling of nausea will often be accompanied by some other digestive symptoms such as bloating or heartburn. Some people may also have a feeling of dizziness that is associated with the sick to the stomach feeling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and they are persistent, it is best to discuss it with your doctor to determine the root of the problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. Gassiness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once again, a problematic gallbladder can lead to all sorts of digestive issues. As mentioned already you may experience stools that do not look normal or stools that are runny. Another symptom of gallbladder disease is an increase in gassiness. Repeated inflammation <\/a>or the presence of gallstones may be the root cause of a dysfunctional gallbladder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indigestion, a feeling of fullness, and an increase in gas, are all signs of a defective gallbladder. However, these symptoms can often be quite vague and may be the result of a number of different issues including simply eating too much. This makes it difficult to determine whether the gallbladder is the root cause as many people simply write these symptoms off. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are feeling like you are gassier than normal and you have not changed your diet in any significant way, and you have some of the other symptoms that are on this list, chances are there is an issue with your gallbladder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. Heartburn<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another common symptom of a sick gallbladder is heartburn<\/a>. Once again, this is a symptom that can be vague and is not something that many people associate with their gallbladder. Simply eating too much can cause a person to develop heartburn. There are many reasons that a person may experience heartburn as it is caused by inflammation within the body. Knowing where the inflammation is coming from can be a bit tricky. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a lot of heartburn caused by acid reflux, there is a chance that the gallbladder is to blame. The burning sensation that you feel in your throat and chest is caused by the contents of the stomach moving backward. Acid reflux is common on its own, with many people dealing with it on a regular basis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, heartburn combined with some of the other symptoms on this list almost always point to an issue with the gallbladder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. Back Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned, many people who suffer from gallbladder issues will have abdominal pain that occurs especially after eating a big meal. In addition, some people experience pain that will extend down their shoulders blade and into their back. This pain <\/a>is typically located on the right side of the body. In addition, if you are suffering from a gallbladder attack you may have difficulty taking in a deep breath. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breathing deep may cause pain in the chest, abdomen, and through the back. It is important to note that the pain that is associated with a gallbladder issue is not always acute. The pain may also feel almost crampy or be dull or sharp. This pain may come and go or it may stay for a long period of time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the pain is accompanied by some of the other symptoms on the list, chances are high that it is caused by a gallbladder issue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

11. Light Colored Urine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In addition to noticing a lighter colored stool, a person suffering from gallbladder <\/a>issues may also notice that their urine is lighter in color as well. When the amount of bile that is sent through the urine is on the lower levels, it can make the urine appear to be almost white. Since gallstones can cause a blockage in the bile ducts, it can make it difficult for the body to absorb fat-soluble vitamins and to process fats in the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Urine that looks milky or is very cloudy may be a sign of a urinary tract infection, but it could also be a sign of a gallbladder issue. In addition, if the gallbladder is not working properly, you may notice that the urine has a foul smell. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While your urine should be light yellow in color, it should not appear white or cloudy. If it does it is important to note and discuss it with your doctor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

12. Bad Breath<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the symptoms <\/a>of a gallbladder issue that is not that well known is foul-smelling breath. This can be a difficult symptom to not only identify, but also can be difficult to determine the reason why a person has bad breath. Some people simply have bad breath, but others may experience this symptom as a result of a gallbladder issue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The source of the bad smell may go beyond the mouth and extend to the digestive system. If you are having difficulty with your abdomen and you also have bad breath, refer to some of the other symptoms on this list to see if there may be more to the cause of your bad breath. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simply having bad breath does not necessarily mean that there is an issue with your gallbladder. However, if you have bad breath and several of the other symptoms on this list, there is a good chance that the gallbladder is at the root of it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

13. Chest Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When a person is experiencing a gallbladder attack there is a chance that they may experience pain that seems to radiate from the chest. This pain may make a person think that they are possibly having a heart attack. The pain is actually coming from the gallbladder and is just below the chest. This pain can be quite intense and at times unbearable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are experiencing pain <\/a>in your chest and you also have some of the other symptoms on this list, there is a good chance that it is being caused by a gallbladder attack. It is important to seek medical attention right away in order to determine the cause of the pain that you are experiencing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your doctor will be able to run tests in order to determine what is causing the pain and other symptoms that you are experiencing and then come up with a proper diagnosis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

14. Shoulder Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another common symptom that people experience when having a gallbladder attack is intense pain in between the shoulder blades. The pain in the shoulder that is caused by a gallbladder attack will often radiate into the right shoulder. This type of pain can be quite alarming as you may not understand what is causing you to experience it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have been having some of the other symptoms on this list and you notice a pain between your shoulders, there is a chance that your gallbladder could be the root cause of your issues. It is important to seek medical attention to determine the underlying cause and proper treatment for whatever is going on in your body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If it is your gallbladder that is causing the issues your doctor may recommend having the gallbladder <\/a>removed. Surgery will be a final option after other treatments have been tried.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

<\/div>