The gallbladder is an important organ located just behind your liver. Its job is to store the bile produced by the liver. This bile helps you digest fat. Gallbladder disease can refer to multiple diseases, such as gallstones and chronic acalculous gallbladder disease. It's important that you understand what the symptoms of gallbladder problems are. Let's take a look at the symptoms of gallbladder disease, as well as the prognosis for this issue.
Key Points
- Gallbladder removal is generally the treatment for gallbladder disease.
- You can live a perfectly normal life without your gallbladder.
- Recovery time depends on the type of surgical procedure performed. It can range from two to eight weeks.
Gallbladder Disease Symptoms
Vomiting and nausea are two symptoms of gallbladder issues. The vomiting and nausea can occur alongside heartburn. The vomiting and nausea can happen at any time, but it can occur more often immediately following a meal of fatty foods.
These symptoms may be accompanied by pain in the abdomen. The pain is usually severe, and can be found on your right side in the upper quadrant of your mid-section. The pain is worse after you take a deep breath. The pain radiates around your waist to your back, usually near your right shoulder blade. The pain is worse after eating food that is high in fat. The pain in the abdomen is sometimes accompanied with abdominal fullness or excessive gas.
Symptoms of a gallbladder issue may also include chills, fever, and shaking. The chills, fever, and shaking may occur more often after consuming fatty foods because the gallbladder is responsible for assisting you in digesting fat. These symptoms may disappear 6 to 18 hours after they start.
If you look at any one of the gallbladder disease symptoms, you won't be able to know if you have gallbladder problems. If you suffer from more than a few of these or if the pain is chronic, then you need to look at seeking treatment.
What is My Prognosis with Gallbladder Disease?
Generally, treatment involves removing the gallbladder. This is an outpatient procedure, meaning that you'll return home the same day of the surgery. You'll be told to rest and take it easy for a couple of weeks; after that, you should be able to return to normal activity. In rare cases, gallbladder removal may be an inpatient procedure; if this occurs, you'll remain in the hospital for three to five days. Recovery time will go from two weeks up to six to eight weeks. Removal of your gallbladder should end your symptoms; if they continue, be sure to tell your doctor. It could indicate another problem.
Gallbladder disease is confirmed with blood tests and an ultrasound. It is important that you talk to your doctor about your symptoms as soon as possible, and that you are honest about what you are experiencing. Left untreated, gallbladder disease can lead to the death of the organ, a tear in your gallbladder, or a gallbladder rupture. This can cause life-threatening conditions, such as cholecystitis and sepsis.
You can live a perfectly normal life without a gallbladder. You may notice that certain foods trigger bloating or diarrhea after surgery; simply avoid these foods to avoid these symptoms. These symptoms may also appear after surgery, but they should clear up after a few weeks. If they do not, call your doctor. In addition, you should call your doctor right away if you experience fever, severe pain, vomiting, jaundice, dark urine, or pale stool.
Find out your risk for developing gallstones.
Do not take the content of this article as professional medical advice. It's important to exercise due diligence when obtaining relevant information in matters pertaining to your health. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any medical decisions.