Bad Gall Bladder Symptoms

The gall bladder--the small, pear-shaped, non-vital organ behind the stomach--stores bile produced in the liver until it is released into the small intestine to begin the digestion of food. The following symptoms occur when the gall bladder is inflamed or infected, usually due to gall stones, and bile is prevented from reaching the small intestine.
  1. Abdominal Pain

    • Abdominal pain is the most common occurrence for anyone suffering with gall bladder disease or some type of abnormal gall bladder condition. Typically located in the upper right portion of the abdomen, the pain also radiates toward the back and right shoulder blade. The pain is described as either sharp cramps or a dull ache, and may be sporadic. It usually flares while the gall bladder tries to release bile into the small intestine to assist with the digestive process.

    Nausea and Vomiting

    • Nausea or vomiting are also common amongst gall bladder disease sufferers. Medical attention is required if these persist to avoid becoming dehydrated.

    Fever

    • Some gall bladder sufferers may develop a fever that rises and stabilizes at approximately 100.4 degrees. In some fever sufferers, chills also occur.

    Clay-colored Stool

    • Bile provides stool with its brown coloration. When bile cannot reach the small intestine, there is an absence of the brown color. This means that your body is not able to digest food properly, particularly when it contains fat or grease.

    Jaundice

    • Jaundice is a symptom of severe gall bladder conditions. It will manifest as the yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes. Jaundice is caused by an overabundance of bilirubin, the byproduct of old red blood cells. This happens when bilirubin is unable to make its way from the liver through bile ducts to the small intestine.

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