What it is
Treatment usually starts with fluids, pain relief and sometimes antibiotics. Many people then have their gallbladder removed, often by keyhole surgery, either during the same stay or a few weeks later.
People live normally without a gallbladder.
Common signs
- Sudden, sharp pain in the upper right part of the belly, sometimes spreading to the right shoulder
- Pain that is worse when breathing in deeply
- Fever, feeling sick or being sick
- Sometimes yellowing of the skin or eyes
How it is usually diagnosed
- An abdominal ultrasound
- Blood tests for infection and liver function
- Sometimes a CT or MRI scan
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Ultrasound and other scan reports
- Blood test results from the episode
- The hospital discharge letter
- Operation notes and any histology (tissue) report after gallbladder removal
Questions to ask your doctor
- Will I need my gallbladder removed, and when?
- What should I do if the pain comes back before the operation?
- Do I need to change what I eat afterwards?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Severe pain in the upper belly that does not go away
- A high temperature with shivering
- Yellow skin or eyes with fever and pain
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.