Pain is the most common symptom of a gallbladder problem. It can be mild and intermittent or quite severe and frequent. It may begin to radiate to other areas of the body, including the back and chest.

Your gallbladder is a 4-inch, pear-shaped organ positioned under your liver in the upper right section of your abdomen. Its job is to store bile, which helps break down fat from food.

When there’s a problem with your gallbladder, you’re likely to experience pain, as well as other symptoms. Read on to learn more about the gallbladder and how to identify a problem.

Gallbladder-related pain usually occurs in the mid to upper-right section of your abdomen. It tends to be sudden and sharp and doesn’t decrease as you move or adjust posture.

The pain may last for at least 30 minutes and be localized on the right upper side of your abdomen, often radiating to the back or right shoulder.

That said, many gallbladder problems, such as gallstones, are interconnected. This means that a lot of the signs or symptoms may be similar regardless of the underlying cause.

  • Nausea or vomiting: Chronic gallbladder disease may cause digestive problems, such as acid reflux and gas.
  • Fever or chills: An infection may develop if the common bile duct is obstructed, though there are other causes. It should be treated immediately.
  • Chronic diarrhea: Defined as loose or watery stools that occur more than three or more times per day and last for four weeks or more.
  • Jaundice: Marked by yellow-tinted skin, this may be a symptom of a block or stone in the common bile duct.
  • Stool abnormality: Lighter-colored stool is a possible symptom of a common bile duct block.
  • Discolored urine: Dark urine is another potential symptom of a common bile duct block.

Any disease that affects your gallbladder is considered a gallbladder disease. Conditions may include:

  • Chronic or acute bile duct obstruction or inflammation: This, in turn, may be caused by:
  • Porcelain gallbladder: This occurs when calcium deposits stiffen the gallbladder walls, making them rigid.
  • Abscess of the gallbladder: This leads to pus in the gallbladder (empyema). If not diagnosed and treated, it can become life threatening as the infection spreads to other parts of the body.
  • Gallstone ileus: A gallstone may travel into the intestine and block it. This condition is rare but can be fatal. It’s most common among individuals who are over age 65.
  • Perforated gallbladder: Also known as a ruptured gallbladder, this is another life threatening condition that could lead to a dangerous, widespread abdominal infection if the tear isn’t detected.
  • Gallbladder polyps: Gallbladder polyps may be benign, but larger ones may need to be surgically removed before they develop into cancer or cause other problems. Polyps can also cause obstruction of the gallbladder.
  • Gallbladder cancer: Although rare, gallbladder cancer can spread quickly if not detected and treated. You may be more likely to develop it if you have chronic inflammation in your gallbladder or bile duct problems.
  • Acalculous gallbladder disease: This is when you experience the symptoms of gallstones without having them.

A doctor may discuss your medical history, symptoms, and family history. They may also ask about your diet and nutrition. Then, they typically perform a physical exam to locate pain in the abdomen and order a blood test.

Results from a blood test may indicate an infection or inflammation in the gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, or even the liver.

Imaging tests can help identify gallstones in your gallbladder. Imaging tests can include:

  • Ultrasound: A gallbladder ultrasound is considered the best imaging test for finding gallstones.
  • Computed tomography (CT) scan: This combination of X-rays and technology can show gallstones and reveal complications such as blockage of the gallbladder or bile ducts.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): A gallbladder MRI shows detailed images of your body’s organs and can show gallstones in your biliary tract ducts.
  • Cholescintigraphy: Also known as a HIDA scan, this test can show gallbladder abnormalities and blockages in the bile ducts.
  • Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): An ERCP is a more invasive procedure that is often used to address an existing problem, such as a gallstone stuck in the common bile duct.

Once the doctor has performed any necessary tests, they may make a diagnosis, followed by a recommended course of treatment.

If a doctor discovers stones in your gallbladder and you experience symptoms, you might have gallbladder removal surgery.

That said, gallstones without symptoms do not need surgery. It’s also not the only way to treat a gallbladder problem. Depending on your issue and diagnosis, your treatment may include:

  • over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Aleve, Motrin)
  • antibiotics for infection
  • anti-inflammatory medications
  • lithotripsy, a procedure that uses shock waves to break apart gallstones and other masses
  • surgery to remove gallstones

You may also find pain relief with natural remedies, such as exercise and a heated compress. This may also include adjusting your diet. In addition, if you have gallbladder removal surgery, a doctor may advise dietary changes both before (pre-op) and after surgery (post-op).

Symptoms of a gallbladder problem may come and go. However, you’re more likely to develop a gallbladder problem if you’ve had one before.

While gallbladder problems are rarely deadly, they should still be treated. You can prevent gallbladder problems from worsening by getting medical care. Symptoms that should prompt you to seek immediate medical attention include:

  • severe, frequent, or constant abdominal pain
  • jaundice
  • pale stools
  • sweating, low grade fever, or chills, if the above symptoms accompany them

The most common indication that you may be experiencing a problem with your gallbladder is pain in the mid to upper-right section of your abdomen.

Gallstones may be responsible for the pain, and depending on the severity of your symptoms and imaging results, a doctor may recommend gallbladder removal surgery.