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Gallbladder Diseases
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Digestive System

Gallbladder Diseases

Gallbladder problems often stem from blockages in the bile ducts, which can typically be managed through the removal of the organ.

Overview

Your gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ located under your liver. It stores bile, a fluid made by your liver to digest fat. As your stomach and intestines digest food, your gallbladder releases bile through a tube called the common bile duct, which connects your gallbladder and liver to your small intestine.

Causes and Management

Your gallbladder is most likely to cause trouble if something blocks the flow of bile through the bile ducts. This is usually caused by a gallstone, which forms when substances in bile harden. Rarely, you can also develop cancer in your gallbladder.

Many gallbladder problems are resolved with the removal of the gallbladder. Fortunately, you can live without the organ, as bile has other ways of reaching your small intestine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, most people live normal lives without a gallbladder. The liver continues to produce bile, which drips directly into the small intestine rather than being stored. Some individuals may experience temporary digestive issues, such as loose stools or bloating after eating large, fatty meals, but this usually improves over time as the body adapts. There is no long-term deficiency in bile production or fat absorption for the vast majority of patients.
Gallbladder pain (biliary colic) typically occurs in the upper right or center of the abdomen, often radiating to the right shoulder or back, and is frequently triggered by eating fatty meals. It tends to be constant and severe, lasting from 30 minutes to several hours. In contrast, heartburn is a burning sensation behind the breastbone that may improve with antacids, while gastritis pain is often a dull, gnawing ache in the upper middle abdomen that may be related to eating or stress. If pain is accompanied by fever, jaundice, or vomiting, it is more likely a gallbladder complication requiring immediate medical attention.
High-fat and fried foods are the primary triggers because they stimulate the gallbladder to contract forcefully to release bile. Fatty meats, full-fat dairy, cream-based sauces, and processed snacks can cause pain if a stone is blocking the duct. Patients are often advised to follow a low-fat diet to minimize these contractions and reduce the frequency of biliary colic episodes.
gallstone forms inside the gallbladder, while a bile duct stone is located in the common bile duct connecting the liver and gallbladder to the intestine. Location matters because a stone in the duct can cause jaundice, fever, and pancreatitis, which are medical emergencies requiring urgent removal via endoscopy (ERCP) before or during gallbladder surgery. Stones confined to the gallbladder may be asymptomatic and monitored, whereas duct stones almost always require intervention.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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