Believe it or not, there are many gall bladder symptoms in women. Today we’re going to review three of them – you might have experienced a few, but not all. Spot them in advance!
#1 – Abdominal pain - that may be under the rib cage or between the shoulder blades. This pain may appear to be a persisting dull ache or a sudden sharp pain. This pain is a sign of gallstones, a solid clump of cholesterol crystals…
And guess what? Women are three times more likely to develop gallbladder symptoms than men… by the age of 60, 20% of American women have developed gallstones, clumps of crystal deposits that accumulate in the gallbladder.
Gall bladder symptoms in women are often mistaken for stomach pain, resulting in women being unaware of gallbladder diseases. These gallbladder symptoms are often ignored or misdiagnosed.
#2 – Yellowing of the whites in your eyes and skin, as well as darkened urine
#3 – Gall bladder symptoms in women during pregnancy:
Often, pregnant women experience pain and aches. How do these pains differ from gallbladder symptoms during pregnancy? 12% of women may experience gallstones while they are pregnant, and these complications lead to gallbladder removal, a common surgery done during pregnancy.
During pregnancy, estrogen and progesterone levels are higher, which slow the gallbladder from emptying. This causes the bile to stay in the gallbladder longer, making it more concentrated and more prone to forming gallstones.
Gallbladder attacks may occur, often after fatty meals and at night.
These gallbladder symptoms during pregnancy include a pain in the upper abdomen that will peak around 15-60 minutes. It may last up to 15 hours. You may also feel pain spreading to between your shoulder blades and under your right shoulder. When the pain comes and goes, it is caused by the gallbladder pushing the blockage by the gallstone. When the gallbladder relaxes, the pain decreases.
Vomiting and nausea may accompany these symptoms. You may also feel excruciating pain around your abdomen when trying to walk or sit up straight. You may feel an increase in gas in your body, leading to burping or belching.
If your gallbladder attack symptoms are accompanied with fever and chills, you should go see your doctor immediately, as it could mean your condition is more serious.
Those with gall bladder symptoms in women should consult their doctor. Your doctor will diagnose your symptoms and examine your gallbladder via ultrasound. They will recommend a suitable treatment for you, and if your symptoms are frequent and serious, they may suggest you to undergo surgery to remove the gallbladder in order to prevent further complications.