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Stomachache
Localized abdominal pain
Loss of appetite
Cannot take a deep breath because of stomach pain
Yellow eyes
Pain in the middle of the upper stomach
Stomach tenses when pressed lightly
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
A condition in which the gallbladder (organ that stores bile from the liver) becomes infected or blocked by a stone, causing bile to build up and the gallbladder to swell.
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
Treatment includes antibiotics and pain medications. Patients may be asked to fast and receive fluids through a needle in the vein to help rest the gallbladder. Some patients may need a procedure to remove a stone or surgery to remove the gallbladder.
Reviewed By:
Maxwell J. Nanes, DO (Emergency Medicine)
Dr Nanes received a doctorate from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and went on to complete a residency in emergency medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin. There he trained at Froedtert Hospital and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin in the practice of adult and pediatric emergency medicine. He was a chief resident and received numerous awards for teaching excellence during his time there. | | After residency he took a job at a community hospital where he and his colleagues worked through the toughest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. |
Aiko Yoshioka, MD (Gastroenterology)
Dr. Yoshioka graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine. He worked as a gastroenterologist at Saiseikai Niigata Hospital and Niigata University Medical & Dental Hospital before serving as the Deputy Chief of Gastroenterology at Tsubame Rosai Hospital and Nagaoka Red Cross Hospital. Dr. Yoshioka joined Saitama Saiseikai Kawaguchi General Hospital as Chief of Gastroenterology in April 2018.
Content updated on Dec 5, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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With a free 3-min Acute Cholecystitis quiz, powered by Ubie's AI and doctors, find possible causes of your symptoms.
This questionnaire is customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
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Q.
Severe Pain? Why Your Gallbladder Is Failing & Cholecystectomy Next Steps
A.
Severe upper right abdominal pain that is intense, persistent, or recurs after meals is often due to gallstones and may mean your gallbladder is failing; cholecystectomy is the routine, very safe fix with typically quick recovery, and you should seek urgent care for fever, jaundice, vomiting, or pain lasting hours. Delaying evaluation can lead to complications such as acute cholecystitis, pancreatitis, or infection. There are several factors to consider about diagnosis, imaging, timing and type of surgery, recovery, diet changes, and risks that could affect your next steps; see the complete guidance below.
References:
* pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32677894/
* pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30588448/
* pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32266004/
* pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34109156/
* pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36965682/
Q.
Sharp Rip Under Your Ribs? Why It’s Your Gallbladder & Medical Next Steps
A.
Sharp pain under the right ribs that worsens after eating is often from the gallbladder, usually gallstones causing biliary colic; if pain is constant or comes with fever, chills, vomiting, or yellowing of the skin or eyes, it may be acute cholecystitis that needs urgent care. Doctors confirm with an exam, blood tests, and ultrasound, and treatment ranges from pain control and a low-fat diet to antibiotics and gallbladder removal; there are several factors to consider for your next steps, so see the complete details below.
References:
* Pavan, S., Piana, D., Di Leo, M., & Vescovi, P. (2018). Cholelithiasis: Clinical Presentation and Pathogenesis. *Digestive Diseases, 36*(2), 99–112. (PMID: 29424888)
* Kim, H. J., Kim, J. S., & Lee, M. S. (2020). Acute cholecystitis: current concepts in diagnosis, treatment, and long-term prognosis. *Annals of Translational Medicine, 8*(13), 856. (PMID: 32662282)
* Wang, H., & Tan, Y. M. (2020). Management of acute cholecystitis: From diagnosis to treatment. *World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, 12*(9), 241–251. (PMID: 32906806)
* Zakko, L. A., & Sandlin, A. (2021). Biliary Colic: A Review of Diagnosis and Management. *Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 17*(3), 119–125. (PMID: 33719003)
* Guerra, A., Shrestha, R., & Lopez, R. (2022). Gallbladder disease: A review. *Journal of Digestive Diseases, 23*(2), 101–108. (PMID: 35147551)
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1Halpin V. Acute cholecystitis. BMJ Clin Evid. 2014 Aug 20;2014:0411. PMID: 25144428; PMCID: PMC4140413.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4140413/Bagla P, Sarria JC, Riall TS. Management of acute cholecystitis. Curr Opin Infect Dis. 2016 Oct;29(5):508-13. doi: 10.1097/QCO.0000000000000297. PMID: 27429137.
https://journals.lww.com/co-infectiousdiseases/Abstract/2016/10000/Management_of_acute_cholecystitis.13.aspxGallaher JR, Charles A. Acute Cholecystitis: A Review. JAMA. 2022 Mar 8;327(10):965-975. doi: 10.1001/jama.2022.2350. PMID: 35258527.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2789654