Gallstone Pain: Signs Your Body Might Be Sending

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Gallstone Pain Signs Your Body Might Be Sending

• By
• Dr. Valeria Simone MD
• (Southlake General Surgery, Texas, USA)

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OVERVIEW

• Gallstone pain can vary in intensity and
  location, depending on the size and location of
  the stones. The most common symptom of gallstones
  is a sudden and intense pain in the upper right
  abdomen, often radiating to the back or shoulder.
  This pain, known as biliary colic, typically
  occurs after a fatty meal and can last anywhere
  from a few minutes to several hours.

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Gallstone Pain What do you feel?

• In addition to the intense pain in the upper
  right abdomen, there are other symptoms that may
  accompany gallstones. Some individuals may
  experience nausea, vomiting, and bloating. Others
  may feel a constant dull ache in the abdomen or a
  feeling of fullness.
• In more severe cases, gallstones can cause
  jaundice, which is characterized by yellowing of
  the skin and eyes. It is important to note that
  not everyone with gallstones will experience
  symptoms, and in some cases, they may go
  unnoticed until a complication arises.

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Where do you feel gallbladder pain?

• Gallbladder pain is typically felt in the upper
  right side of the abdomen, just below the
  ribcage. This area is known as the epigastric
  region and can sometimes radiate to the back or
  shoulder blades. The pain is often described as a
  sharp, cramping sensation that may come and go or
  persist for several hours.
• As well as sudden movements or deep breaths,
  eating fatty or greasy foods can also cause it.
  If you suspect you may be experiencing
  gallbladder pain, it is important to consult a
  healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis
  and appropriate treatment options.
• Gallstones, which can obstruct the bile ducts and
  cause inflammation, are typically the cause of
  gallbladder pain. In severe cases, it can lead to
  complications such as infection or a ruptured
  gallbladder.

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Pain from an Inflamed Gallbladder

• This can range from a dull ache to a sharp,
  stabbing sensation in the upper abdomen. It may
  also radiate to the back or shoulder blades.
• Other symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, and
  fever. If left untreated, an inflamed gallbladder
  can become a serious medical condition that
  requires surgical intervention. Therefore, it is
  crucial to seek medical attention if you
  experience persistent or worsening gallbladder
  pain.
• This can lead to complications such as
  gallbladder abscesses or gangrene.

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Pain from a gallbladder infection?

• The pain from a gallbladder infection, also known
  as cholecystitis, is typically felt in the upper
  right side or middle of the abdomen. It can be
  described as a sharp, stabbing pain or a dull
  ache. This pain may also radiate to the back or
  shoulder blades.
• Additionally, some individuals may experience
  tenderness or a feeling of fullness in the upper
  abdomen. It is important to note that the
  severity of the pain can vary from person to
  person and can range from mild discomfort to
  intense agony.
• Some other symptoms associated with a gallbladder
  infection include nausea, vomiting, and fever.
  These symptoms may worsen after eating a fatty
  meal, as the gallbladder plays a role in
  digestion and the breakdown of fats.
• If left untreated, a gallbladder infection can
  lead to complications such as a blocked bile duct
  or the formation of gallstones. Seeking medical
  attention is crucial to diagnosing and treating
  the infection properly. In some cases, surgery
  may be necessary to remove the infected
  gallbladder.

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How often does gallbladder pain occur alongside
other symptoms?

• According to Dr. Valeria Simone MD, an
  experienced general surgeon at Southlake General
  Surgery, Texas, gallbladder pain often occurs
  alongside other symptoms, although the frequency
  and severity can vary from person to person. Some
  individuals may experience frequent episodes of
  pain, while others may only have occasional
  discomfort.
• The presence of additional symptoms, such as
  nausea, vomiting, and fever, can further indicate
  a gallbladder infection or other underlying
  issues. It is important to consult a healthcare
  professional for a proper diagnosis and to
  determine the best course of treatment.

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Do other health issues have similar symptoms to
gallbladder problems?

• There are several different illnesses that can
  cause gallbladder pain. Some instances of these
  are provided below
• Gallbladder Cancer Abdominal discomfort,
  itching, swelling, and fever are all possible
  symptoms of gallbladder cancer. It's possible
  that your doctor will request imaging tests to
  determine whether gallstones or cancer are the
  cause of your pain.
• Appendicitis Pain from the gallbladder tends to
  be felt higher up the right side of the abdomen,
  toward the back, while appendicitis pain tends to
  be felt lower down.
• Kidney stones Excruciating pains in the belly,
  side, or back may be a symptom of kidney stones.
  Your urine may be murky, smell bad, be an unusual
  color (pink, red, brown), or you may feel the
  need to urinate frequently.
• Ulcers Ulcers can cause a variety of symptoms,
  including abdominal pain, burning pain, bloating,
  fullness, burping, heartburn, and more.

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• Heart attack Gallbladder discomfort might be
  misdiagnosed as heart attack symptoms. Additional
  signs of a heart attack are fatigue, nausea, and
  discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back.
• Gastroenteritis It is also called the stomach
  flu and can cause symptoms that are easily
  confused with those of gallbladder disease.
  Stomach flu typically manifests with unpleasant
  symptoms like feeling nauseous, throwing up,
  having watery diarrhea, and cramps.
• Pancreatitis When your pancreas becomes
  inflamed, you have pancreatitis. It's possible to
  mistake the pain from this illness for a
  gallbladder attack. However, additional symptoms,
  such as a lack of appetite, a rapid heart rate,
  and greasy or offensive stools, are also possible
  with pancreatitis.
• Inflammatory bowel diseases A variety of
  gastrointestinal conditions can result in
  gallbladder symptoms such as discomfort, nausea,
  and vomiting.

Do other health issues have similar symptoms to
gallbladder problems?
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What symptoms indicate the need for a visit to
the doctor?

• If you experience gallbladder discomfort or any
  other worrying symptoms, you should schedule an
  appointment with your doctor.
• Some of the issues that might arise from having
  gallstones can be extremely serious or even
  fatal. If you notice any of the following
  symptoms, you need to consult a doctor
  immediately
• skin or eye discoloration (yellowing)
• excruciating pain in the abdomen
• chills and a very high temperature
• To determine whats wrong with you, your doctor
  may order a variety of tests, such as
• blood test
• ultrasound
• imaging test

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How can I get relief from my gallbladder pain?

• While experiencing a gallbladder attack, there is
  nothing you can do. To ease the pain, a warm
  compress could be applied to the area. Once the
  gallstone is out of your system, the pain should
  subside.
• Gallbladder removal surgery or medications to
  dissolve gallstones are the standard treatments
  for gallbladder attacks. Limiting your
  consumption of fatty foods and keeping your
  weight in check may help you avoid a gallstone
  attack.
• The risk of gallbladder pain can be reduced by
  taking the following additional steps
• Lets explore more Gallstones Pain What Do You
  Feel? - Southlake General Surgery

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Appointment

• For more information on Gallbladder pain,
  gallbladder symptoms, gallbladder treatment, and
  consultation. You can contact our healthcare
  expert today at 1(817) 748-0200. You can
  also make an online appointment with us.
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• Source Gallstones Pain What Do You Feel? -
  Southlake General Surgery

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76092
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