When you have a stomachache, you may have stomach-area pain or feel nauseous. A normal stomachache generally goes away fairly quickly.
However, if the pain or uncomfortable aching feeling is persistent, it may be due to something other than the stomach. In some cases, it may be an issue with your gallbladder.
Let’s talk about how best to have your stomachache diagnosed, and where you can go for a medical evaluation and treatment.
What Is the Gallbladder?
Your gallbladder is an organ in your digestive system, and it serves the purpose of collecting and storing bile from your liver. The gallbladder then releases bile into the small intestine as needed for the digestion of fats.
You can live without a gallbladder if you have chronic problems emanating from this organ. Your surgeon will attach your liver directly to your small intestine for releasing bile for digestion. This surgery helps to alleviate your debilitating, stomachache-like pains and enables you to enjoy a normal lifestyle once again.
Issues that Cause Gallbladder Pain
The following problems may cause you to have gallbladder pain:
Gallstones
Gallstones can develop when your bile solidifies into stones in your gallbladder. This issue may or may not cause pain.
If a gallstone blocks a bile duct, then this issue is likely to cause pain that feels like a stomachache. The pain may feel intense in the middle portion of your upper abdomen. It may also be accompanied by chills, fever, nausea, vomiting, or jaundice. You might notice that your stools are a clay color or paler than usual.
Polyps
Polyps can also form along the lining inside your gallbladder. The polyps can vary in size, and they are usually noncancerous. Gallbladder polyps can cause stomachache-like pain whether they’re cancerous or not.
Cholecystitis
Inflammation of the gallbladder is called cholecystitis. This can be caused by a tumor in the gallbladder or due to gallstones blocking the tube which releases bile into the small intestine.
This tends to cause stomach-area pain that usually occurs after you eat. You might also have a fever, jaundice, nausea, or vomiting.
Gallbladder Infection
An infection in the gallbladder can also cause stomachache-type pain. This type of infection typically forms in your gallbladder ducts – the duct that brings bile from your liver into the gallbladder, and/or the duct that delivers bile to your small intestine. A gallbladder infection can make you experience fever, chills, and jaundice.
Gastroenterologist in Austin, TX for Stomach Pain
Your digestive tract is a complex system that can cause pain due to certain conditions, including problems with the stomach, intestines, and gallbladder. Here at Austin Gastroenterology, our experienced physicians and medical staff diagnose and treat patients with digestive issues such as chronic or intermittent stomachaches and gallbladder stones.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our skilled gastroenterologists, contact our friendly staff at Austin Gastroenterology today by calling us at our location near you or fill out our easy-to-use appointment request form online now. We look forward to helping you finally find relief from your stomach pain!
