Gallbladder Attack Symptoms

Gallbladder is a large, pear-shaped sac in the abdominal area of the human body. When this large sac contracts, it releases bile juice into the intestine. Gallstones, polyps or cancer are a few gallbladder diseases or problems that can develop in the gallbladder. When there is high cholesterol level in the food consumed or hormone estrogen, gallbladder develops gallstones. When cholesterol, bilirubin and calcium are not of the right consistency, they block the bile ducts and forms a stone. Gallstones cause a lot of pain and discomfort and enter the ducts. This pain is known as gallbladder attack.

Most people who suffer from gallbladder attacks are not aware that it is the beginning of a gallbladder disorder. These symptoms are seen in case of overeating, high fat intake, older women or diabetics. The symptoms are so painful that many people readily go under the knife to get rid of the pain.

The gallstones tend to block the duct and slowdown or even stop the flow of bile. This causes the body to improperly digest the food. These gallstones may be the size of a sand grain or as big as a golf ball. There may be just one stone or many in number. One may not think of it much, but it is very common and affects more than 25 million Americans! Let us have a look at the gallbladder attack symptoms in the following paragraphs.

Symptoms of Gallbladder Attack
An acute gallbladder attack can occur after having a fatty meal or at night. One may initially feel a steady, but severe pain in the upper abdominal area. Pain may be felt in the shoulder, mostly the right shoulder as well as between the shoulder blades. Other gallbladder attacks symptoms one may experience are as follows:

• You may suffer from chest pain in the right side. This pain is caused by stones in the bile duct. The other reason for this pain may be inflammation of the gallbladder.
• Nausea, vomiting, bleaching and gas may be observed.
• The tender gallbladder becomes painful even to touch.
• You may not be able to walk without bending over or sit up straight due to the excruciating pain.
• Many times the pain spreads to the shoulder blade on the right side or in the middle between the shoulder blades. The intensity of the pain may vary - from sharp to dull. It mostly occurs during the night and may be constant or can come and go.
• The attack can also be triggered by or fatty food intake. Milk, beans, pork, eggs, onions and certain nuts can also trigger a gallbladder attack symptom. It is also seen that coffee, grapefruit, oranges, corn, beans, alcohol can also lead to signs of gallbladder attack.
• You may experience severe upper abdominal pain.
• Queasiness, burping or belching.
• Bitter fluid coming up in the mouth after eating.
• Nausea, dizziness, gas and feeling of fullness.
• One may develop headache just around or above the eyes, especially at night.

Symptoms of Gallbladder Attack that Requires Immediate Medical Attention
There are certain symptoms that call for immediate medical attention. If one develops the following unbearable symptoms of gallstones, they should rush to the emergency room of a hospital. These symptoms include:

• Severe pain under the right side of the ribs.
• Intense pain radiating towards the right shoulder or back.
• Severe abdominal pain that makes siting or finding a comfortable position difficult.
• High fever accompanied by chills.
• Yellowing of the whites of the eyes and skin.

How to Alleviate Gallbladder Attack Symptoms
When one begins to experience a true gallbladder attack, they need to take some steps to reduce the pain and discomfort. If you are suffering from a gallbladder attack, lie down immediately on the couch or bed. The left side of your body should lay on the top of a pillow. This helps release the pressure from the gallbladder. You can even sit on a high-backed chair. Rest your back against the chair and raise your arms straight up, then lean them backwards. Remain in the same position till the pain reduces. If you are experiencing nausea, then try to vomit. Do not force yourself to vomit. Remember nausea is a symptom of gallbladder attack. Try to have a bowel movement. The attack may have been triggered by the waste in the body.

The gallbladder attack may last for 15 minutes to 15 hours. If fever and chills are accompanied with an attack, seek medical help immediately. The symptoms may intensify and cause the skin and whites of the eye to turn yellow. This is because the bile backs up the liver leading to jaundice. In case of moderate symptoms, the doctor may prescribe paracetamol or ibuprofen. Many believe consumption of cucumbers and cucumber juice and tea with flax-seed bring relief to gallbladder attack symptoms.

If no other remedy works, the doctor may decide for a gallbladder surgery to remove the distressed organ. You need not worry as you won't face any problems after removal of the gallbladder. However, it may lead to diarrhea for a few days. Gallbladder attack symptoms cause excruciating pain and are often confused with other symptoms of liver, kidney, pancreas, stomach or even appendicitis. Consult your doctor and choose the correct line of treatment for your gallbladder attack.