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Symptoms of a Failing Gallbladder

Gallbladder failure occurs when the gallbladder fails to empty fully or properly. This condition is usually a precursor to gallbladder disease, which is when gallstones develop. A failing gallbladder can also refer to a gallbladder that already has gallstones, is inflamed or has simply stopped working. Common symptoms range from mild, occasional pain to severe pain and vomiting.

  1. Biliary Pain

    • Biliary pain is a common symptom of gallbladder failure. It is not a constant pain and can occur several times a year, or as little as once every five or ten years. The pain appears in the middle-to-right part of the upper abdomen. It usually starts as a steady pain and may move to the upper back. It can be mild or painful. In more painful cases, nausea may occur. Nothing helps the pain, which can last anywhere from one to five or more hours. It is common for biliary pain to happen in the middle of the night, several hours after eating dinner.

    Inflammation

    • Inflammation of the gallbladder occurs when the duct is blocked. It is similar to biliary pain but more severe. It's usually felt in the upper right abdomen, is ongoing and severe, and worsens when drawing a breath. The pain usually radiates to the back, shoulder blades or left side. Some people may experience fever, chills and vomiting. The pain may last for days. Inflammation of the gallbladder is rare, affecting on average 2 percent of people with failing gallbladders. Immediately seek medical attention if you have these symptoms.

    Chronic Cholecystitis

    • If your gallbladder is failing because it is developing chronic cholecystitis, you will suffer from the following symptoms: nausea, pain in the abdomen and chronic diarrhea, which means you have five to 10 loose bowel movements every day for a minimum of three months. Chronic cholecystitis is when the gallbladder develops gallstones and a slight inflammation.

    Choledocholithiasis

    • If you have a failure of the gallbladder due to choledocholithiasis, this means you have gallstones in the common bile duct. Symptoms include yellowing skin, dark urine, fever and chills, nausea and vomiting, rapid heartbeat and severe pain in the upper right abdomen. If you have these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

    Misconceptions

    • It is a common misconception that digestive complaints such as heartburn and bloating are related to gallbladder problems. In reality, these are much more likely to be caused by ulcers or gastrointestinal issues.

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