Or, if its abnormally painful, your mind may jump toappendicitis.
But theres anotherhealth conditionthat can cause bad stomachpainand probably isnt on your radar: a gallbladder attack.
What is your gallbladder, and what does it do?
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Your gallbladder sits under yourliveron the right side of your midsection below your ribs.
That serves as soap to help break up fats.
Your gallbladder is a lot like your appendix.
What is a gallbladder attack exactly?
Just like pretty much every other body part, things can go wrong with your gallbladder.
Enter: Gallstones, which can block your ducts and cause a gallbladder attack, according to theNIDDK.
As you’ve got the option to imagine, this feels beyond terrible.
(Theres a reason its called a gallbladder attack instead of, say, a gallbladder nudge.)
Its exquisitely painful, Dr. Staller says.
What causes a gallbladder attack in the first place?
Its clear that gallbladder attacks happen when gallstones block yourbileducts.
But toreallyunderstand what causes a gallbladder attack, we need to discuss what causes gallstones to form.
There are two types of gallstones.
Cholesterol gallstones are usually made up of undissolved cholesterol that joins to form a stone, Dr. Staller says.
Fun (and disgusting) fact: Theyre typically yellow, according to theNIDDK.
Pigment gallstones, on the other hand, are often dark brown or black.
Here are the gallbladder attack symptoms to look out for.
Plenty of people are clueless that they have gallstones because they have no symptoms, Dr. Bedford says.
And even without symptoms, gallstones also increase your risk of gallbladdercancer, theMayo Clinicsays.
A sudden, intense, stabbing, gnawing, cramping pain in the upper right section of your abdomen2.
Pain in between your shoulder blades4.
Pain that radiates into your right shoulder5.
Jaundice (when your skin and the whites of your eyes take on a yellow tinge)9.
Pee that looks tea-like12.
The symptoms are similar to regular gallstone symptoms, but with a few extras thrown in:
13.
Sharp, squeezing pain in your upper left abdomen14.
Similar pain in your back
If youre having any of the above symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
What are the chances of having a gallbladder attack?
While anyone with a gallbladder can develop gallstones, there are many known risk factors for developing them.
Treatment depends on whether youre having a regular gallbladder attack or are experiencing gallstone pancreatitis.
Your physician may also give you medications for the pain, theNIDDKexplains.
And, as we mentioned, you could live your life normally without your gallbladder.
There are two types of cholecystectomies: laparoscopic cholecystectomy and open cholecystectomy, theNIDDKsays.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomies are more common.
In most cases, youll be able to go home when the procedure is done, theNIDDKsays.
Open cholecystectomies are used when your gallbladder is really inflamed, infected, or scarred, theNIDDKsays.
Sometimes your doctor will opt for an open cholecystectomy when the laparoscopic method isnt working.
This typically happens because bile is flowing more freely without those obstructions, and its usually temporary, theNIDDKsays.
Still, youll want to discuss those changes with your doctor.
If for whatever reason, you cant undergo surgery, your doctors may prescribe medications to dissolve the stones.
If your doctors realize you have gallstone pancreatitis, you might get a slightly different course of treatment.
They may also remove fluids from your stomach to ease anyintense vomitingand also give you anti-nausea medications.
Again theyll either venture to remove the badly behaving gallstones or excise the entire gallbladder.
If youre experiencing such severe symptoms you suspect youre having a gallbladder attack, its time to take action.
after you snag one bad attack, see a doctor, Dr. Alaedeen says.
Its really best not to sit on it.
