8 Symptoms of Gallbladder Infection

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.Next