Gall bladder pain is a common symptom nowadays. The reason for this is the relatively high-fat diet and lack of exercise. Pain in the gallbladder can be attributed to various causes such as gallstones or inflammation of the gall bladder.
The pain manifests itself in the form of pressure pain or colic. The therapy of choice is usually the complete removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy). Various diseases of the gallbladder can cause pain.
A common cause is a disruption in the flow of the bile ducts and the resulting accumulation of bile. The gallbladder then causes colickylike pain because the outflow is disturbed. In other cases, the gallbladder can become inflamed due to the congestion and for this reason lead to right-sided pain in the upper abdomen.
Gallstones are crystallization products, which are caused by an uneven mix of The imbalance is caused by an incorrect diet high in fat, high cholesterol and little exercise. Further risk factors are the
- Lecithin
- Cholesterol and
- Bile salts are formed.
- Female gender
- Nicotine abuse
- Overweight
- Age over 40 years
- Alcohol abuse
These stones are formed in the gallbladder and can initially be asymptomatic. About 2/3 of all people with gallstones never suffer from symptoms.
However, if the gallstones are transported from the gallbladder to the bile ducts, they can block the bile ducts. The gallbladder tries to transport the stones and bile by strong contractions. These contractions lead to severe pain in the right upper abdomen.
Since the contractions are wavelike, the pain is usually colicky. The pain in the gallbladder is often increasing and can also radiate to the back or right shoulder. Furthermore, the patients suffer from a painful pain in the gallbladder.
The diagnosis is mainly made by means of anamnesis and ultrasound (sonography). In addition, an ERCP (Endoscopic Retrostraight Cholangiopancreaticography) can be performed. Here the bile ducts can be visualized endoscopically and the stones can be removed directly.
In most cases, however, the gallbladder is removed completely (cholecystectomy), as the formation of new gallstones is very likely after a previous event. Patients are free of symptoms immediately after removal of the stones and are not restricted in their quality of life even without a gall bladder.
- Pressure pain in the right upper abdomen
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Jaundice (icterus)
- Increase of liver values
- Discoloration of urine and stool
A common complication of gallstones is inflammation of the gall bladder.
Only in about 10% of cases does the inflammation of the gall bladder occur as a result of another cause. In most cases an aseptic inflammation occurs first, due to the overfilling of the gallbladder (hydrops). Over time, germs from the intestines can spread in the gallbladder and cause septic inflammation.
In rare cases, the inflammation of the gallbladder occurs as a result of long-term parenteral nutrition. The symptoms usually begin with The therapy consists of the administration of 3. Inflammation of the bile ducts (cholangitis) The cause of an inflammation of the bile ducts is usually an obstructive structure such as the bile ducts can be either acute or chronically inflamed.
An acute inflammation of the bile ducts triggered by bacteria is accompanied by severe unilateral pain in the right upper abdomen, fever and jaundice (icterus). Treatment consists of antibiotic therapy to eliminate the bacteria and endoscopic imaging and widening of the bile ducts to restore the flow. A chronic inflammation of the bile ducts (primarily biliary cirrhosis) develops at the bottom of an autoimmunological genesis.
However, there is no pain in the gall bladder. The symptoms are limited to itching, jaundice and hypercholesterolemia.
- Severe pain in the right lower abdomen, which may radiate to the right shoulder.
- The pain is accompanied by nausea, vomiting and sweating.
- Fever indicates a bacterial inflammation of the gall bladder.
- Laboratory chemical analyses
- Ultrasound
- Clinical Murphy’s sign
- Antibiotics
- Analgesic and antispasmodic drugs (butylscopalamine)
- Operative: Cholecystectomy (removal of the gallbladder)
- Tumors
- Gallstones
- Stenoses or
- Parasite infestation
Pain in the gallbladder can manifest itself in many different ways.
For example, pain in the gallbladder may occur mainly after eating. The bile stored in the gallbladder is particularly important for the digestion of fats. After eating, it is released into the intestines through contraction of the gallbladder.
Therefore, pain in the gallbladder after eating is perceived by the body, especially fatty foods. If this type of pain occurs, it is usually due to a disease of the gallbladder. In many cases, gallstones are the cause of pain in the gallbladder after eating.
These are located at the outlet of the bladder or in the laxative bile duct and constrict it. The stone is so small that it does not cause any discomfort at rest. However, when the gallbladder contracts, e.g. after eating, the constriction becomes apparent and the gallbladder muscles press against an obstacle.
This causes pain that can be very strong and crampy. Other causes of gall bladder pain after eating are irritation or inflammation of the gall bladder. If the symptoms persist, the pain should always be clarified after eating in order to eliminate the cause and avoid more serious secondary diseases.
In some cases, the gallbladder causes pain during pregnancy. Especially in the late weeks of pregnancy, when the unborn child reaches a certain size. Then pressure can be exerted on the gallbladder due to the tightness in the abdominal cavity, which often causes pain.
Usually this type of pain depends on the position of the baby. Particularly when lying down, pain occurs in the area of the right costal arch above the gallbladder, which improves again when standing or walking. If pain in the gallbladder during pregnancy is independent of the position or if other symptoms such as nausea or fever occur, further measures are appropriate.
For example, the development of gallstones is more frequent during pregnancy. The pressure in the abdominal cavity hinders the outflow of bile, which promotes the development of stones. An inflammation of the gall bladder can also be behind the pain.
It is therefore always advisable to have pain in the gallbladder clarified. Especially if the pain is crampy, accompanied by other symptoms or persists for a long time. Gall bladder pain during pregnancy is usually not a direct danger to the unborn child.
In addition to the pain, an irritated gallbladder can also cause other accompanying symptoms. These depend on the type of underlying disease. In mild irritations, accompanying symptoms such as a feeling of pressure or fullness may occur.
They can be accompanied by flatulence. In addition to the pain of the gall bladder, there is also an increased tendency to belch after eating. If the disease is more serious, accompanying symptoms such as nausea and vomiting may also occur.
Sudden outbreaks of sweating can also be a sign of obstruction of the bile ducts or inflammation of the gallbladder. Often, pain in the gallbladder is accompanied by cramps, which are called colic. These are severe pains that swell and shrink at intervals.
Colic is extremely painful and must be treated and clarified quickly, as it is an expression of the gallbladder muscles working against great resistance. This is usually caused by gallstones. Accompanying symptoms of a complete blockage of the bile ducts that lead to the gall bladder can be a discoloration of the stool and a deposit of bilirubin in the eyes and the rest of the skin, which is called jaundice (icterus). This indicates an accumulation of bile. In the case of inflammation of the gall bladder, fever and chills are not uncommon as accompanying symptoms.
