Gallbladder pain is often felt in the right upper belly, under the ribs.
The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ located in your right upper abdomen, just under your ribcage.
It stores and releases bile used in digestion.
Verywell / Alexandra Gordon
Gallbladder pain can come and go.
Unlike gas pain, gallbladder pain is not relieved by changing position, burping, or passing gas.
This article discusses the causes of gallbladder pain, including gallstone andgallbladder diseases.
It also explains treatments for gallbladder pain relief and how to prevent a recurring gallbladder attack.
Gallstones
The most common cause of gallbladder pain isgallstones(also called “cholelithiasis”).
These particles can be quite small or grow to the size of a golf ball.
Inflammation
Gallbladder inflammation (called “cholecystitis”) most commonly develops as a result of gallstones.
Biliary colic describes a dull, cramping pain in the upper-right part of the abdomen.
Acalculous Cholecystitis
Acalculous cholecystitiscauses the same symptoms as acute cholecystitis, although a gallstone is not the culprit.
The resulting rise in pressure can cause an increase in liver enzymes andjaundice.
It includes dysfunction of the sphincter of Oddi, the muscular sphincter that helps to control gallbladder emptying.
Biliary dyskinesia is a gallbladder syndrome that comes up whenever your gallbladder is not emptying properly.
Gallbladder Cancer
Gallbladder canceris rare and is often not diagnosed until it is fairly advanced.
Because of its vague symptoms, gallbladder cancer is often found late.
Gallbladder cancer that is diagnosed late can have a poor prognosis.
Polyps
Gallbladder polypsare abnormal growths on the inside lining of the gallbladder.
They are usually benign and don’t cause any symptoms.
However, some people may experience pain and other symptoms similar to those cause by gallstones.
Bile Duct Infection
Acute cholangitisoccurs from a bacterial infection in the common bile duct.
Treatments
The treatment of gallbladder pain depends on the precise cause and may include medication or surgery.
Bile acid pills are sometimes given to people with minimal symptoms and a well-functioning gallbladder.
Only about 50% of people with asymptomatic gallstones will develop symptoms, whereas surgery carries some risks.
Prevention
Focusing on ahealthy lifestyleis your best chance to prevent gallstones and, thus, gallbladder pain.
Treatment for gallbladder pain depends on the cause.
In some cases,surgical removal of the organ may be required.
Be sure to get checked out by a healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
You may have to make dietary changes to control gallstones during pregnancy.
About 5% to 40% of people will experience postcholecystectomy syndrome after gallbladder removal.
It can cause abdominal symptoms similar to the pain felt before the gallbladder was removed.
The five-year relative survival rate for gallbladder cancer that has not yet spread is 65%.
For cases that have spread regionally to nearby lymph nodes or organs, the survival rate is 28%.
Cases of distant spread have a survival rate of 2%.
It isn’t common, but COVID-19 can cause gallbladder pain.
One study found the virus can sometimes mimic cholecystitis.
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