Signs & symptoms of gallbladder issues

The gallbladder might be small, but its role in digestion is mighty. Gallbladder issues affect millions worldwide, but despite its importance, the gallbladder's significance is often overlooked until problems like pain or discomfort arise. Expert nutritionist Naomi Rowling shines a light on this silent hero of digestion, its vital role, common signs of gallbladder issues, and tips for a gallbladder-friendly diet. 

What is the gallbladder?

Your gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located in the upper right part of your abdomen and sits just under your liver. It stores and releases bile, the fluid your liver produces that helps digest and breakdown fats in the food you eat.

It is a key part of your digestive system and is connected to other parts of your digestive system through a series of bile ducts called the 'biliary tract' (sometimes called the 'biliary system' or 'biliary tree'). It is a pipe-like system that carries bile from your liver to your small intestine.

What causes gallbladder problems?

There can be a number of issues that cause gallbladder problems, including:

• Gallstones are the most common issue you may develop with your gallbladder.
• Cholecystitis is inflammation of your gallbladder. It can occur when a gallstone blocks bile from exiting your gallbladder. Cholecystitis causes fever and pain and usually requires surgery.
• Gallstone pancreatitis is inflammation of your pancreas. It occurs when a gallstone travels down the common bile duct and blocks the pancreatic duct just before draining into the small intestine.
• Gallbladder cancer is rare. You might feel pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. But it is far more likely for this pain to occur due to another condition.

Signs and symptoms of gallbladder issues:

There are a number of common signs if there may be an issue with your gallbladder, including: 

• Excessive burping and indigestion
• Feeling full after only a few bites of food
• Unexplained nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Feeling worse after eating fatty foods
• A dull pain on the right side, just below the diaphragm
• Stools that float, or light-coloured stools
• Itchy skin with no obvious cause
• Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes

When to seek medical attention

You should seek urgent medical advice if you have more severe symptoms, which can include:

• Intense pain in the upper right portion of your abdomen
• Intense pain in the centre of the abdomen, just below the breastbone
• Back pain between your shoulder blades
• Pain in the right shoulder
• Nausea or vomiting 

Obtaining the correct diagnosis is important. Removing this small yet highly significant part of the digestive system is not without consequences and only removes the symptoms of the problem. It is possible to live a healthy life without a gallbladder, but it is more difficult to thrive because you are missing a key player in your body's digestive function. Nothing in the body works in isolation, and gallstones can still form anywhere along the bile duct system. Read our guide to diet and lifestyle changes after gallbladder removal.

What's your diet missing? Find out in your free Diet Profile.

Gallbladder-friendly diet

You can support the health of your liver and gallbladder with a liver and gallbladder-friendly diet.

• High in unprocessed foods, low in sugar, and minimal in grains. Focus on an abundance of brightly coloured veggies, well-sourced proteins and good fats. If you're vegetarian, plant-based or vegan, discover the best protein sources on a plant-based diet.
• Vitamin C - studies suggest Vitamin C may help prevent gallstones, so it makes sense to include plenty of Vitamin C-rich foods in your diet.
• Choose bitter foods such as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, endives or chicory, wild rocket and coriander, and include liver-loving foods such as beetroot, cinnamon, turmeric, lemon, grapefruit and globe artichoke. You may also be interested in our highly absorbable Curcumin & Turmeric supplement.
• Drink dandelion tea.
• A small amount of dark chocolate can be beneficial.
• Digestive bitters such as bitter gourd juice taken just before or after a meal are helpful. There are lots of recipes available to make your own bitters.
• Limit coffee and alcohol. We've detailed the best alternatives to caffeine for you.
• A supplement containing botanical ingredients including Dandelion, Milk Thistle, Schisandra and Artichoke taken with meals can also be beneficial.
• Dandelion root supports congestion of the liver and gallbladder and promotes the flow of bile. 
• Milk Thistle supports digestion and helps maintain a healthy liver, protecting and supporting the detoxification of the liver, and promoting the body's natural detoxification. Learn more about the benefits of Milk Thistle.
• Artichoke supports the detoxification of your liver, helping maintain a healthy liver function.
• Schisandra supports blood flow in the liver and supports overall liver health. Schisandra also has adaptogenic properties and may improve your ability to adapt to stress and act as a tonic for mental wellbeing. Continue reading about the benefits of Schisandra.
• Psyllium Husk has been known to inhibit the formation of gallstones.

You can find Dandelion, Milk Thistle, Schisandra and Artichoke in DR.VEGAN's Debloat & Detox formula, an advanced supplement developed to provide daily protection for your liver and also supports your gallbladder. Psyllium Husk can be found in DR.VEGAN's high fibre formula, Fibre Complex and in Gut Works^®. 

Wondering if your liver needs a detox? Dora Walsh highlights the 5 tell-tale signs your liver needs a detox and Shona Wilkinson provides a list of the 8 best foods for detoxing your liver.

Discover our range of award-winning vegan supplements and probiotics.

You may also enjoy reading:

• Should you take probiotics after antibiotics?
• Difference between soluble & insoluble fibre
• Latest gut health research: IBS causes & symptoms revealed
• Acid reflux? Best 3 foods to eat and avoid
• Do I need to take a fibre supplement?
• Why fibre in your diet is essential