Diseases List » Blog Archive » Signs and Symptoms of Gallbladder Disease in Women

In most cases, the gall bladder disease in its initial stages is often confused with smaller stomach or menstruation problems in women and for that reason it is ignored. However, when the symptoms become more severe, the disease is in an advanced stage, and we need medical attention in order to solve it. In this article, we are going to see what the gallbladder disease symptoms in women are.

The function of the gallbladder in the digestive process is great. The bile produced in the liver is stored in the gallbladder, and it is released when needed, and the bile has a role to break down fats from food. When gallstones are formed, it affects the function of the gallbladder and in most cases, they cause blockage of the bile duct which leads to gallbladder disease or infection.

It has been noted that the gallbladder disease affects more women than men, and it is thought that the main reason for that is the estrogen hormone. Other causes of gallbladder problems are rapid loss of weight, consuming foods rich in cholesterol, aging, diabetes, being overweight and physically inactive. When we compare the symptoms of gallbladder disease in men and women, we can see that there is no difference.

One of the main symptoms of gallbladder disease is the well-known pain which appears in the upper-right part of the stomach. Other symptoms in women which may be felt with this pain are lowered blood pressure, vomiting and nausea, unwanted gasses, burping, loss of appetite, fever, bowel problems, etc. The pain may spread to the back and between the shoulder blades, too. These symptoms usually appear at night after a heavy meal.

It is important for pregnant women to contact their doctor immediately after they notice some of the symptoms of gallbladder disease. Many of the symptoms associated with gallbladder disease may be confused when the woman is pregnant, like morning sickness, digestive problems, etc. For that reason the diagnosis and treatment have to be taken seriously.

In not so severe cases of gallbladder problems, it is usually enough to use medications and painkillers and also make slight changes in the eating habits. Don’t use such medications on your own, always consult your doctor. If the disease advances and you see no results from the current treatment, then it is advisable to have a gallbladder removal surgery. However, before the surgery you have to make sure to get all the answers from your doctor regarding the steps of the surgery and potential complications.