Pain in the abdomen can happen due to many reasons. However, if abdominal pain is rapid and intense and is happening towards the right side, it can signal gallstones – stones in the gallbladder.
The gallbladder is an organ that is located on the right side of the abdomen below the liver. It holds a fluid called bile which it releases into the small intestine for digestion.
What causes gallstones?
The exact cause of the gallstones is not known. However, it is believed that it may happen because of the following reasons:
Presence of too much cholesterol in bile
Bile helps in digestion and dissolving cholesterol, which is excreted by the liver. When it is unable to do so, then unused cholesterol might turn into stones.
Presence of too much bilirubin in bile
There are health conditions that can cause the liver to produce too much bilirubin. The presence of too much of that chemical can trigger the formation of gallstones.
The gallbladder doesn’t get empty properly
If the gallbladder doesn’t get empty properly, the bile becomes concentrated and that could lead to stone formation in the gallbladder.
Other than rapidly intensifying pain in the belly, there are other symptoms that could point towards gallstones:
- Back pain between shoulder blades
- Pain in the right shoulder
- Pain in the abdomen just below the ribs
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Restlessness
- Sweating
- Dark urine (happens when the condition is severe)
- Fever and feeling chilly (happens when the condition is severe)
Usually, gallbladder stones do not cause any trouble in passing urine, but if a stone blocks any duct, a person may feel a burning sensation while urinating. See a doctor, if you experience such symptoms so that it can be tackled right in time.
Gallstones can be removed easily with the proper medication and prevention if you are looking to consult a doctor, head over to the Ask Vaidya Consultation app for specialized doctor appointment online.
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