Upper Right Side Pain and the Gallbladder

The gallbladder is one of the underappreciated of the abdominal organs. Located just below the liver, this organ’s job is to store bile that is produced by the liver and used by the body to digest food.

Even though the function of the gallbladder is known, it is similar to the appendix (which has no defined role) in that we can live without it. If for some reason the gallbladder must be removed, bile will simply take a more direct path, flowing from the liver to the intestines. This will of course create a slightly different digestive pattern, but most people minus this sac-like organ notice no difference in the bodily functions.

Problems that might occur in the gallbladder include infections, inflammation and gallstones. Some signs that there is a problem include bloating, gas, upper right side pain that may be severe, chest pain, chills and fever, nausea and heartburn. Remember, this organ is part of the digestive system so symptoms may increase in severity during or shortly after meals.

Sudden inflammation that causes severe abdominal pain is known as cholecytitis. This is one of the conditions that sometimes will make it necessary to remove the gallbladder. In some cases, the illness will clear up, but it often becomes chronic, making surgery the best course of treatment.

In some instances, pain medications and antibiotics are treatment enough. Of course, anytime a person has severe abdominal pain he should seek medical help.

When cancer cells develop in the gallbladder, surgery is again a possible treatment. Below, you will find the symptoms that might arise when cancer is present in this organ. You will probably notice that several of these indicators overlap with those for other gallbladder illnesses.

Symptoms for gallbladder cancer:

• Upper right side pain
• General right side abdominal pain
• Yellowing of the skin (jaundice)
• Fever
• Lumps in abdomen
• Nausea and vomiting
• bloating