Gallbladder Disease and Liver Health
What are the Symptoms of Gallbladder Disease?
Symptoms of gallbladder disease vary widely from discomfort to severe pain which mainly begins after food intake. Pain is generally located in the right upper or middle upper abdomen. In severe cases, the patient can suffer from jaundice, nausea and fever. The most common reason for gallbladder disease is gallstones, which is why gallbladder disease is usually referred to as gallstone disease. However, it is possible to have gallstones and never have any symptoms.
Other symptoms of gallbladder disease that may occur:
- Pain that spreads to the back or below the right shoulder blade
- Abdominal fullness
- Clay-colored stools
- Fatigue
- Enlarged liver
- Enlarged spleen
- Repeat episodes of cholangitis (an infection of the common bile duct, the tube that carries bile from the liver to the gallbladder and intestines)
- Chills
- Dark urine
References
DetoxCompanion.com “Is a Liver Flush Dangerous?” http://www.detoxcompanion.com/liver-cleanse/21/is-a-liver-flush-dangerous/. Retrieved April 20, 2011
eHowHealth.com “What Are the Dangers of a Liver Cleanse with Epsom Salt, Olive Oil and Grapefruit?” http://www.ehow.com/about_5202419_dangers-salt_-olive-oil-grapefruit_.html. Retrieved April 20, 2011
MayoClinic.com “What is a Gallbladder Cleanse? Is it an Effective Way to Flush Out Gallstones?” http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gallbladder-cleanse/AN01283. Retrieved April 20, 2011
Palmer, M.D., Melissa. Dr. Melissa Palmer’s Guide to Hepatitis & Liver Disease. New York: Avery Trade, 2004
U.S. National Library of Medicine NIH National Institutes of Health “Gallbladder Disease” http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001138.htm. Retrieved April 20, 2011
WebMD “Tests Used to Diagnose Gallbladder Problems” http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tests-diagnose-gallbladder-problems. Retrieved April 20, 2011
Worman, M.D. Howard J. The Liver Disorders and Hepatitis Sourcebook. McGraw-Hill, 2006