Gallbladder Problems and Back Pain

Is there a connection between gallbladder problems and back pain? Scroll down to find out how an inflamed gallbladder may cause back pain.
The gallbladder is a small sac that is located below the liver. The gallbladder stores and regulates the flow of a digestive juice produced by the liver. This digestive juice is called bile. Whenever one ingests food items that are rich in fats or lipids, a hormone called cholecystokinin is secreted. This is followed by contraction of the gallbladder, which in turn, is followed by the release of bile into the cystic duct. The cystic duct and the hepatic duct make up the common bile duct. It is from the common bile duct, that the bile is released into the small intestine. The secretion of bile is extremely essential for the emulsifying fats, which in turn aids in the digestion and absorption of fats. If the gallbladder gets inflamed, and is unable to release bile at the right time, one may suffer from a wide range of distressing symptoms. Though abdominal pain and discomfort are the characteristic signs of an inflamed gallbladder, pain may sometimes be felt around the back as well. Given below is some information on the connection between gallbladder problems and back pain.

Gallbladder Problems and Back Pain

Before I tell you why a person suffering from gallbladder disease may experience back pain, let me first tell you what causes gallbladder disease. As mentioned earlier, our gallbladder acts as a reservoir for bile, and secretes it as and when it is required. Bile contains bile acids, cholesterol, bilirubin, phospholipids, electrolytes and water. The non-soluble free cholesterol, becomes soluble only when the bile acids act upon it. However, consumption of foods rich in cholesterol can affect the composition of bile. If cholesterol is present in large amounts, it may crystallize into hard stone-like masses. These hardened deposits are called gallstones. The formation of gallstones inside the gallbladder is referred to as cholelithiasis. These hardened deposits, can obstruct the passage of bile and may get lodged anywhere in the biliary tract. If the gallbladder is unable to empty bile, it may become inflamed. Under such circumstances, one is diagnosed with cholecystitis. Inflammation of gallbladder naturally affects the digestive process, and leads to various digestive problems. Bloating, belching, indigestion, nausea, dizziness, queasiness and abdominal pain are the most common symptoms that patients may exhibit.

Since the gallbladder is located in the upper-right quadrant of the abdomen, people suffering from this condition often suffer from upper-right abdominal pain. However, it's not necessary that the pain would remain restricted to the upper-right quadrant, where the gallbladder is located. At times, pain may not be felt around the diseased organ, but be felt at another place. This explains why many of the people suffering from gallbladder disease may complain about back pain. It is quite common for people suffering from gallbladder problems to experience back pain. Pain may even radiate to the right shoulder or between the shoulder blades. Most patients complain about experiencing severe abdominal pain or referred back pain, soon after the ingestion of cholesterol-rich foods. Such episodes of severe pain, which are also referred to as gallbladder attacks, may occur due to decreased tolerance or intolerance to fatty foods.

How to Treat Gallbladder Pain

Now that you know the link between inflammation of the gallbladder and back pain, let's find out more on gallbladder pain relief. Since this back pain is a referred pain, the best way to treat this back pain, would be to treat the underlying cause. Since gallbladder problems mostly arise due to poor dietary habits, and gallbladder attacks occur after ingestion of foods rich in cholesterol, one must pay attention to one's diet. One must refrain from consuming fatty foods, and follow a diet that may help to flush out the gallstones. One can also check out tried-and-tested home remedies. For instance, apple juice is believed to be helpful in flushing out small gallstones. It is believed that malic acid present in apples may help in breaking down gallstones. Many people who suffer from gallstones, have also benefited by drinking beet juice. If remedies don't seem to be providing any relief, doctors may prescribe drugs for dissolving gallstones. Lithotripsy is another noninvasive procedure that involves breaking gallstones with the help of ultrasound waves. If the gallstones are big and the inflammation is severe, surgical removal of the gallbladder may be suggested.

This was some information on the linkage between gallbladder problems and back pain. Back pain that is being referred from an inflamed gallbladder will resolve, once the inflammation has been treated. Those of you, who have been experiencing symptoms associated with a gallbladder disease, must seek medical assistance immediately.

By Smita Pandit