Your gallbladder, a small organ that sits just below your liver, has an important function—it releases bile (produced by the liver) into the intestines and helps break down fats. However, many Americans experience problems with their gallbladders, which leads to a change of diet or the removal of the organ altogether.
Depending on risk factors such as gender (females are more likely to have these problems), age and lifestyle, you can develop gallstones that block the flow of bile, or you can develop a range of gallbladder diseases. In any case, you will experience symptoms that are less than pleasant. Here are 14 signs to watch for…
1. Acute Pain
If you have pain in the upper right side or middle of your abdomen directly after consuming a meal, then you may have acute cholecystitis, which HealthLine.com describes as the most common gallbladder disease.
This condition is usually caused by gallstones (from calcium buildup or cholesterol), but it can also result from tumors, notes the source. The pain can be sharp twinges to dull aching that extend all the way up your right shoulder, it adds. This condition can lead to a chronic version, which will lead to your gallbladder losing its function.