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Why Am I Having Gallbladder Attacks?

23rd September, 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).

Doctors call a gallbladder attack cholecystitis. The terms biliary disease or biliary colic may also be used.

In order to understand how a gallbladder attack takes place, it’s helpful to know what the gallbladder is and the functions it performs.

The gallbladder has been described as a small, sac-like reservoir near the liver. It is roughly the same shape as the human thumb. It stores bile, a substance produced by your liver, which helps break down the food you eat. This makes the food easier for the intestines to digest. It is particularly helpful in breaking down cholesterol and fats. When you eat a meal that contains a lot of fat and cholesterol, the gallbladder can’t process it all properly. It becomes irritated or inflamed, which causes the pain of a gallbladder attack. If a lot of fats and cholesterol have accumulated, it can be hours before gallbladder function returns to normal and pain subsides. People who eat a lot of fried foods often have gallbladder problems.

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. Gallstones can be tiny and practically invisible to the naked eye. But they can also grow to the size or a golf ball.

As noted above, pain of a gallbladder attack may appear in several places. Generally, you feel the pain of a gallbladder attack in the upper abdomen. But it’s also possible to experience considerable discomfort in the right shoulder or the upper back between the shoulder blades.

You can also experience pain that feels like a gallbladder attack for several other reasons. Sometimes the gallbladder becomes infected. Or there might be a blockage or obstruction in the biliary tract (which transports bile to the small intestine).

Pain in the regions described above is the most typical gallbladder attack symptom. Among the other symptoms are these:

* a fever is likely, along with chills
* there could be bowel irregularities, including diarrhea or constipation
* there could be equilibrium problems like dizziness
* there may be a headache centered above the right eye
* stools will look noticeably lighter or slate-colored,
* there could be some nausea or vomiting
* Abdominal bloating and gas are typical

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.

Your doctor will probably recommend staying away from food and drink until your gallbladder has a chance to stabilize again. Intravenous treatment including electrolytes and fluids may also be appropriate.

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.

Certain people will experience gallbladder attacks no matter how careful they are about the way they eat and what they eat. Some individuals are more prone to gallbladder attacks because they have a family history of gallbladder problems. Nonetheless, everyone can reduce their risk by eating a healthy diet that includes more low cholesterol foods. You can also maintain a regular exercise regimen. Vigorous exercise goes a long way toward clearing cholesterol and fats out of your system.

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

Click on Gallbladder Attacks – An Unpleasant Surprise and gallbladder removal to learn more about maintaining gallbladder health.

Neal Kennedy is a former radio and TV journalist with a special interest in health and fitness.