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What Are The Causes Of Gallbladder Attacks?

24th October, 2010 - Posted by health news - No Comments

A gallbladder attack is a relatively common problem that occurs when your gallbladder becomes irritated due to a variety of causes which will be described in this article. Pain from a gallbladder attack can range from mild to severe. Episodes may last a few minutes or a few hours, with the pain being felt mostly in the upper abdomen (although it may also radiate to the shoulder area and back).

Medical professionals refer to a gallbladder attack as cholecystitis. Other medical names include biliary colic or biliary disease.

It’s easier to understand why a gallbladder attack happens when you understand what your gallbladder does to help you digest the food you eat.

The gallbladder has been described as a small, sac-like reservoir near the liver. It is roughly the same shape as the human thumb. The main role of the gallbladder is to store a substance called bile, which makes food easier to digest when it reaches the intestines. Bile is secreted by the liver and kept in the gallbladder until it is needed. Bile is essential for metabolizing cholesterol and fats. A gallbladder attack occurs when too much fat and cholesterol build up and the gallbladder can’t properly process it all. This results in inflammation and irritation – and pain – which will continue until gallbladder function returns to normal. Eating a lot of fried foods can be tough on the gallbladder.

It’s possible for so much cholesterol to accumulate in the gallbladder that some of it hardens into formations that resemble small stones. These are commonly known as gallstones, and they can also cause a great deal of discomfort. These gallstones can be minute – as tiny as a grain of sand. Or they can be very large – approximately the size of a golf ball.

As mentioned previously, you may feel pain from a gallbladder attack in several places. The most common area is the abdomen just below the ribcage (where the gallbladder is actually located). But it can also extend to the right shoulder or the upper back between the shoulder blades.

You can also experience pain from several other gallbladder problems too. For instance, there can be a blockage or obstruction biliary tract, which is the the path that transports bile to the small intestine. Gallbladder infections are also possible.

Pain is the most common symptom of a gallbladder attack. But there are other gallbladder attack symptoms, including:

* chills and a fever are common
* bowel irregularities: either constipation or diarrhea
* dizziness is common
* there may be a headache centered above the right eye
* stools will look noticeably lighter or slate-colored,
* nausea and vomiting
* stomach bloating is common, as is an unusual amount of flatulence

Treatment for a gallbladder attack depends mainly on the severity of the pain and the nature of the cause. Sometimes, a sudden, severe gallbladder attack may require hospitalization. But people who have chronic, recurring attacks may also need to be hospitalized.

During hospitalization, you’ll be given intravenous electrolytes and fluids. You’ll also need to refrain from eating or drinking anything for a while.

Fluids can build up in the intestines when you have gallbladder problems. Your doctor may place a tube through the nose and into the stomach to keep it empty. He or she may also order antibiotics.

Gallbladder removal surgery is a treatment option if attacks become frequent or chronic. Since you don’t need your gallbladder to live, your doctor may recommend removing it to prevent future problems.

Gallbladder attacks will happen to some people no matter what they eat or how careful they are about their diet. This can be true for individuals with a family history of gallbladder problems. For the most part though, it’s possible to reduce your chances of having gallbladder attacks if your diet includes more low-fat, low-cholesterol foods. Regular exercise also helps by clearing the system of excess fats and cholesterol.

(Editor’s note; The words “gallbladder attack” are also spelled spelled gall bladder attack by many individuals. There are also a number of mispellings, including galblader attack, gallblader attack, and even gullbladder attack.)

Click on Gallbladder Attacks – An Unpleasant Surprise and removing the gallbladder to learn more about a healthy gallbladder.

Neal Kennedy is a retired radio and TV reporter with a special interest in health and fitness.