Gallbladder which side

Bile is ejected from the gallbladder, passed through small tubes, and deposited in the common bile duct. It then enters the small intestine.

In most cases, common bile duct stones are actually gallstones that developed in the gallbladder and then passed into the bile duct. This type of stone is called a secondary common bile duct stone, or secondary stone. Sometimes stones form in the common bile duct itself. These stones are called primary common bile duct stones, or primary stones.

This rare type of stone is more likely to cause an infection than a secondary stone. Gallbladder disease without stones, also called acalculous gallbladder disease, can occur. In this case, you may experience symptoms commonly associated with gallstones without actually having stones. An infection may develop if the common bile duct is obstructed. Treatment for this condition is successful if the infection is found early. A small percentage of people with gallstones may also develop pus in the gallbladder.

This condition is called empyema. Pus is a combination of white blood cells , bacteria , and dead tissue. The development of pus, also known as an abscess, leads to severe abdominal pain. A gallstone may travel into the intestine and block it. This condition, known as gallstone ileus, is rare but can be fatal. If you wait too long to seek treatment, gallstones can lead to a perforated gallbladder.

This is a life-threatening condition. Polyps are abnormal tissue growths. These growths are typically benign, or noncancerous. Small gallbladder polyps may not need to be removed.

However, larger polyps may need to be surgically removed before they develop into cancer or cause other problems. A healthy gallbladder has very muscular walls. Over time, calcium deposits can stiffen the gallbladder walls, making them rigid.

This condition is called porcelain gallbladder. Gallbladder cancer is rare. Not all cases will require medical treatment. You may also be able to find pain relief with natural remedies , such as exercise and a heated compress. Foods that may aggravate gallbladder disease include:. Symptoms of a gallbladder problem may come and go. While gallbladder problems are rarely deadly, they should still be treated. You can prevent gallbladder problems from worsening if you take action and see a doctor.

Symptoms that should prompt you to seek immediate medical attention include:. When this happens, bile begins to back up in the liver.

People with choledocholithiasis usually experience pain in the upper right part of their abdomen. Other symptoms include:. The condition is treated by removing the gallstone from the duct using an endoscope. Removal of the gallbladder may also be recommended to prevent the condition from happening again.

Gallbladder polyps are growths that project into the inside of the gallbladder. About 95 percent of polyps are benign noncancerous. Most people with polyps have no symptoms and the polyps are found by a routine ultrasound or CT scan. However, some people do experience symptoms, such as pain in the upper right part of the abdomen and nausea. Gallbladder removal may be recommended in the case of symptomatic or large polyps. There are other conditions that can affect the gallbladder.

However, they occur less commonly than the conditions discussed above:. The following strategies may help lower your risk of gallbladder conditions such as gallstones:.

Your gallbladder can be removed , if necessary. This is typically recommended if you have painful gallstones that are causing blockages or inflammation. People without a gallbladder can live a normal life. Your liver will still produce the bile that you need for digestion. However, instead of being stored in the gallbladder, the bile will move directly to the small intestine.

Dietary changes may include:. This typically involves sudden pain in the upper right part of your abdomen. This pain often happens after eating. Some symptoms may indicate a more serious gallbladder problem. Your gallbladder is located in the upper right portion of your abdomen. There are a variety of conditions that can affect the gallbladder, the most common of which are gallstones.

Untreated gallstones can lead to potentially serious complications like blockages and inflammation. See your doctor if you have pain in the upper right part of your abdomen, particularly after eating. This could be a symptom of gallstones. A doctor can provide both diagnosis and treatment. Gallstones can block your bile duct and cause abdominal pain. Learn how to recognize the symptoms and what the treatment options are. But if a gallstone blocks one of the bile ducts, it can cause sudden, severe abdominal pain, known as biliary colic.

Other symptoms may develop if the blockage is more severe or develops in another part of the digestive system. Gallstones can cause sudden, severe abdominal pain that usually lasts 1 to 5 hours, although it can sometimes last just a few minutes.

It's sometimes triggered by eating fatty foods, but may occur at any time of day and may wake you up during the night. Biliary colic doesn't happen often. After an episode of pain, it may be several weeks or months before you have another episode.