Gallbladder disease could result from inflammation or infection of the gallbladder, development of gallstones or obstruction in the gallbladder. While there are various types of gallbladder diseases, the symptoms are not all that different from one disease to another.
This is why it is important to get a proper diagnosis as to the type of gallbladder condition that you have so medical attention can be given accordingly. The most common type of gallbladder disease however is cholecystitis or the presence of stones in the gallbladder.
Gallbladder Disease Symptoms
In the early stages of the disease, the patient may not experience any immediate symptoms. The severity of the symptoms may also vary from person to person.
However, it is important to pay close attention to the frequency of the appearance of these symptoms so the patient can relay each episode to their physician. This will enable them to conduct proper tests to find out the condition of the gallbladder.
The most common symptoms of gallbladder disease are:
- Pain under the right part of the rib cage
- Pain or discomfort on the shoulder blades
- Light-colored stools
- Indigestion after meals, particularly when fatty or greasy foods were consumed
- Feeling nauseated
- Throwing-up or vomiting
- The feeling of being bloated
- Frequent passing of gas
- Belching
- Diarrhea alternating with constipation
If you experience extreme pain with fever, it is important to immediately consult your doctor.
Gallbladder Disease Attacks
The abovementioned symptoms may occur at intervals and could last anywhere from fifteen to thirty minutes up to several hours.
Sometimes the symptoms do not appear for months and then would suddenly persist for several days. The pain could be mild to severe. Severe attacks usually mean extreme pain in the abdominal area that could reach the shoulder blades and back.
Most often than not, the symptom attacks occur during the night, following dinner of fatty or greasy foods.
Test and Diagnosis
To get a proper diagnosis for gallbladder disease, a patient will have to undergo specific tests. Blood tests are the most common type of examination to determine if there are discrepancies in the values of enzyme alkaline phosphates and bilirubin.
If there are discrepancies, further testing may be required. Abdominal ultrasound can give the doctor a better view of the gallbladder and determine whether there is inflammation in the organ or if stones have already formed on the gallbladder.
The test will determine if the symptoms being experienced by the patient are caused by the gallbladder or other possible medical conditions, particularly if the most prevalent symptom is abdominal pain.