10 symptoms that indicate gallbladder problems

Surely we have heard of gallstones. It is one of the problems that occur in the gallbladder in the body. Consider the common signs below to detect whether the gallbladder has an abnormal problem or not.

The gallbladder is a small sac located under the liver. Its sole function is to release bile into the digestive tract to break down the food we eat, especially fats, helping the digestive system function smoothly. If you have the following symptoms, see a doctor early to detect gallbladder problems.

1. Stomach pain after meals

If you have abdominal pain, pay attention to the consistency of the time of day or the activities you do. You may notice that the pain starts or worsens around mealtimes, especially after eating fatty or greasy foods. If this is the case, your intestines are having trouble digesting the fat from your meal.

2. Nausea or vomiting

Although this symptom is not a positive sign of gallbladder problems, if it is accompanied by other symptoms, you need to pay more attention.

3. Chest pain

Because the gallbladder is located in the upper abdomen, pain from gallbladder problems can radiate to the chest. Especially if there is a blockage, you may even feel as if you are having a heart attack.

4. Jaundice

Jaundice occurs if the gallbladder is blocked by gallstones. Because the gallbladder cannot move bile through the body, bile begins to build up and leaves excess bilirubin in the blood.

Eventually, excess bilirubin will cause yellowing of the skin or eyes, called jaundice. At this point, you need to go to a medical facility as soon as possible.

5. Abdominal pain

Another characteristic symptom you may experience is severe, intermittent abdominal pain. This pain can last for several hours and may not occur at regular intervals. In fact, it can sometimes occur years apart.

Again, this type of pain can be caused by a gallstone blockage. With this blockage, the gallbladder may try to expel the gallstones that have formed. Your doctor will describe this cramping pain as biliary colic.

6. Fever/chills

Fever associated with the gallbladder indicates that the gallbladder is inflamed. The gallbladder can become inflamed (cholecystitis) due to gallstones, bacterial infections, alcohol use, or tumors.

In some cases of gallstone obstruction, the gallbladder can rupture, which is a dangerous condition that requires immediate medical intervention.

7. Change in urine or stool color

When bile flows normally through the digestive system, stools are brown. However, a change in stool color can indicate a gallbladder problem, especially if the stool is pale or clay-colored. Urine can also darken, but this symptom is more vague and can also be related to other problems.

8. Chronic diarrhea

In the case of gallbladder disease, you may notice bloating, chronic abdominal discomfort, and excess gas. In this case, you may experience chronic diarrhea as your body struggles to digest properly.

9. Heartburn and indigestion

By definition, indigestion means a disruption in the body's ability to digest food. While this symptom is common to other digestive conditions, it can also mean a gallbladder problem. Get indigestion checked if it occurs frequently, especially after meals with fatty foods.

10. Pain when breathing

Finally, gallbladder pain may increase when taking a deep breath. This relationship occurs because of the location of the gallbladder in the body. Pain may be a sign of a gallbladder blockage and doctors will need to examine it to determine the exact problem.

Gallbladder problems can have a variety of symptoms, depending on the exact condition. However, upper abdominal pain and difficulty digesting fatty foods are clear signs that indicate a gallbladder problem. It is important to see a doctor so that you do not have to worry about any unusual problems with this organ.

According to Dantri