The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ about 4 inches long that’s located under the liver. The only purpose of this tiny organ is releasing bile into the intestines to help break down food. While some people do not have any symptoms when they develop gallbladder problems, most suffer from pain, nausea, and other symptoms. The most common problem associated with the gallbladder is the development of stones, which usually prompt the removal of the entire gallbladder.
These stones are caused by a buildup of bilirubin or cholesterol that harden into gallstones. Gallstones can lead to potentially serious complications, including pain, inflammation, and infection of the gallbladder. Infection is usually the result of a gallstone obstructing a duct that moves bile into the intestine. In severe cases, this infection can lead to gangrene, abscess, rupture, and blood infection.
1. Severe Abdominal Pain
The most common sign of gallbladder infection is severe abdominal pain that begins in the upper abdomen right below the ribs. Depending on the person, this pain may be constant, intermittent, just in the abdomen, radiating to the back, and mild or severe.
This pain usually starts or gets worse after eating a meal that is greasy, large, or fatty. This is because the gallbladder is responsible for sending bile to the intestines after a meal to break down fat and cholesterol. When the gallbladder is obstructed or infected, the bile cannot help break down the fat.
2. Right Shoulder Pain
Gallstones and gallbladder infection can cause many types of pains. Along with abdominal pain, many patients experience right shoulder pain and back pain. This pain can be severe and located just beneath the right shoulder blade. Some people also feel pain that extends between the shoulder blades.
This pain originates in the phrenic nerve, which runs up the right side of the body from the neck to the soft tissue next to the gallbladder. When the duct on the gallbladder becomes obstructed, it pinches this nerve and causes pain in the shoulder and back.
3. Pain After Eating
The gallbladder releases bile into the intestines after eating to help break down food. Gallstones can obstruct the ducts through which this bile is released, which may trigger symptoms. It’s important to note the time and what you are doing when you experience abdominal pain. If you have a problem with your gallstone, the pain will likely start or get worse after you eat. This is even more true when you eat food that’s greasy or fatty. This is because the bile from the gallbladder is very important in breaking down fat. Without the bile, your body has a harder time digesting fat from food.
4. Sharp Pain
A gallbladder infection usually cases severe, sharp pain that starts in the middle or upper abdomen. When a gallbladder attack occurs, this is where pain is also felt. This pain typically comes on very quickly, especially after eating a fatty meal. Over time, the pain will become more severe and generalized. This is a symptom that distinguishes a gallbladder attack from a more serious gallbladder infection. When the gallbladder becomes infected, the pain will last longer, typically anywhere from 6 hours to several days. A gallbladder attack, on the other hand, usually lasts for at least 30 minutes.
5. Pain When Breathing Deeply
While digestive problems and pain are the most well-known signs of a gallbladder infection, problems with the gallbladder can also cause pain when breathing deeply. This symptom may also come with rapid breathing, heart palpitations, and confusion. These symptoms can indicate shock that develops as the infection spreads to the blood. You will likely notice that the upper right side of your abdomen is very tender and the pain will get worse when you take a deep breath. You may also experience pain below the right shoulder blade that also worsens with deep breaths. This sign indicates immediate medical treatment is necessary.
This symptom is called Murphy’s sign and it’s named for the Chicago surgeon John Murphy who first discovered in the 19th century that people with gallbladder disease have hypersensitivity to deep breaths.
6. Jaundice
Jaundice is a problem that causes yellowing of the whites of the eyes and the skin. Jaundice can also cause severe itchiness of the skin. This happens when the body does not process bilirubin correctly. Bilirubin is a yellow waste product that stays in the blood after iron is removed. Jaundice can be caused by a liver problem, but it’s also a sign of gallstones and infection.
When the gallbladder is infected or there’s an obstruction, the bile duct can become blocked. This allows bile to back up into the liver and then make its way into the blood.
7. Nausea
Nausea on its own isn’t enough to indicate a gallbladder problem, but this symptom with vomiting along with other symptoms does point to the gallbladder. Vomiting and nausea are common with all types of gallbladder problems, including a gallbladder stone, chronic gallbladder disease, and infection. With chronic gallbladder problems, this symptom is usually accompanied with acid reflux, gas, bloating, and other digestive issues. When it occurs with a high temperature, it can indicate an infection.
This symptom usually gets worse when eating and it may make it difficult to get proper nutrition. Some people still experience nausea after gallbladder removal, but this symptom tends to improve over a period of weeks.
8. Fever
When gallstones develop, they can irritate the gallbladder. This irritation causes the walls of the gallbladder to become swollen and painful. Episodes of inflammation can last for hours or days. Many people experience a high temperature with chills during these episodes. Fever is not a typical sign of gallstones; it usually indicates the problem has progressed to an infection. About 90% of all people with gallbladder infection develop a fever. Any unexplained fever can indicate an infection, however, even when there are no other symptoms like abdominal pain.
While all cases of suspected gallbladder infection require medical treatment, it’s particularly important when fever is present. A sudden spike in a temperature can indicate the development of more serious problems like a bloodstream infection or a rupture.
