Gallbladder Symptoms in Women

Gallbladder is situated just behind the liver in the upper right quadrant of the abdominal cavity and it looks like a small pear-shaped sac. Pain in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen can be due to an inflamed gallbladder or due to an infection in gallbladder. Most women are unaware of the gallbladder attack symptoms and they generally ignore abdominal pain. Most of the time, gallbladder diseases are misinterpreted as stomach disorders. Inflammation of the gallbladder is known as cholecystitis. Formation of gallstones is mainly responsible for cholecystitis and gallbladder infections.

Signs and Symptoms of Gallbladder Diseases in Women
Excessive burping, queasiness, belching
Nausea, vomiting and gas
Chest pain in the right side
Bitter fluid might come up in the mouth in case of a gallbladder attack.
Low blood pressure, a rigid abdomen are the symptoms of gangrenous gallbladder.
Indigestion and diarrhea, fever, loss of appetite can be the symptoms of cholecystitis.
Dull or excruciating pain in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, depending on the extent of inflammation.
Pain in the back or even pain in the shoulder blades can be experienced.
Pain, especially after consumption of fatty dinners. Due to gallbladder dysfunction, women might develop an intolerance to fatty foods.
Difficulty in walking or sitting straight, need to bend over while walking due to pain are some of the common symptoms.
Along with fever, nausea and vomiting, weight loss and jaundice are the symptoms of gallbladder cancer and they are rarely noticed in the early stages.
Gallbladder problems during pregnancy may cause severe abdominal pain, intolerance for fatty foods, itching all over the body without any rash, vomiting, loss of appetite, nausea, etc.
Gallbladder disease in teens or teenage girls is rarely noticed. Teenagers generally suffer from milder forms of gallstone problems. Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fever are some of the symptoms of gallbladder problems in children.
Treatment

Gallstones are the main cause of gallbladder problems in women. The problem is diagnosed with the help of various medical tests like endoscopic ultrasonography, magnetic resonance cholangio-pancreatography or MRCP, blood tests, X-rays, etc. Cholecystectomy or gallbladder surgery (removal of gallbladder) is suggested only in severe cases. Otherwise, the pain is lowered with the help of medicines and diet. Sometimes, cholesterol gallstones are dissolved with the help of orally taken medication. With disappearance of gallstones, pain and other symptoms also disappear. A naturally-occurring bile acid called ursodeoxycholic acid or ursodiol is used for medicinal treatment. There are some limitations to the use of ursodiol. Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is also the method which is sometimes used for treating gallstones, especially those lodged in bile ducts. A heating pan or warm compresses can be used to get rid of the pain. Painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs and antacids can offer instant pain relief. Gallbladder flushing (cleansing) is done with the help of specially designed gallbladder diet. Consumption of fresh pear juice, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, apple juice also help reduce the pain. Limiting the intake of fats, increasing the intake of fluids and liquids (including water) works great for gallbladder diseases. Performing exercises that promote weight loss is also essential to maintain normal weight. This promotes smooth functioning of the gallbladder.

Gallbladder disease symptoms in women, like pain and discomfort, are generally overlooked as women do not realize that it can be the beginning of a gallbladder disorder. Elderly women or women who have diabetes, women who overeat, who are obese, who have a high fat intake are more likely to experience a gallbladder attack. It's better to be aware of these risk factors because forewarned is forearmed.