A small, pear-shaped organ located beneath the liver on the right side of the abdomen. Its primary function is to store & concentrate bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver. When food, especially fatty food, enters the small intestine, the gallbladder releases bile into the intestine through a duct to help break down fats for digestion & absorption. While the gallbladder plays a significant role in digestion, it is not essential for survival & people can live without it if necessary, as the liver will still produce bile, though it may be released in smaller amounts.

Symptoms of Gallbladder Problems:

Gallbladder problems can cause a range of symptoms, with the most common being pain in the upper right abdomen, often after eating fatty or greasy foods. This pain can be sharp or cramp-like and may radiate to the back or right shoulder. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, bloating, indigestion & excessive gas. In more severe cases, individuals may experience jaundice, fever & chills which could indicate an infection or inflammation. 

Pain in the upper right abdomen

Especially occurs after eating some fatty foods.

Sharp or cramp-like pain

It may radiate to the back or at the right shoulder.

Jaundice

Occurring a yellow texture in the skin and in eyes.

Fever and chills

Often indicates some kind of infection or inflammation.