Symptoms similar to gall bladder (but which are not)

Gallbladder stone is a relatively common problem, being more frequent in people who eat a diet rich in simple fats and carbohydrates, or who have high cholesterol, for example.

The most common symptoms of this type of alteration include severe pain in the right side of the belly, fever above 38ºC, yellowish color in the eyes, diarrhea and nausea. Although they are related to the gallbladder, this does not mean that, whenever they appear, they indicate the presence of gallstones in the gallbladder, as they may also be linked with other gastric or intestinal problems.

However, gallbladder stone is considered a medical emergency and should be treated as soon as possible. Thus, the important thing is that you always pay attention to your own body and identify how the symptoms evolve to know when they can really indicate a serious situation. If the pain is very severe or if more than 2 of the common gallstones symptoms appear, it is always advisable to consult the doctor or go to the hospital, to confirm the diagnosis and start the appropriate treatment.

The following are the most common symptoms of this problem and why they cannot always indicate gall bladder:

1. Severe pain on the right side of the abdomen

Any type of severe pain should always be evaluated by a doctor and, therefore, it is always important to go to the hospital. However, pain in the upper right side of the abdomen is not just a sign of gallbladder stone, it can arise in the presence of problems in other organs, especially in the liver.

Since the liver and gallbladder work together, it is normal for the symptoms of changes in any of these organs to be similar and, therefore, the only way to be sure of what it is, is to go to the hospital or consult a hepatologist for exams such as abdominal ultrasound or MRI, to confirm the diagnosis and start the most appropriate treatment.

The problems that most often cause pain in the right side of the abdomen are hepatitis and cirrhosis, but it can also be a sign related to heart failure, for example. See what are the main causes of pain in the abdomen.

2. Fever above 38º C

Fever is a very general symptom, as it is a way for the body to deal naturally with various types of problems and infections. So, in case of fever, the most important thing is to assess what other symptoms appear and whether the fever is very high, that is, if it is above 39ºC.

Other gastrointestinal problems that can cause fever and look like a gallstone situation include Crohn's disease or appendicitis, but in these situations it is common for pain to also appear in the lower abdomen, and in appendicitis this pain is usually more localized on the right side, just above the hip.

3. Yellowish color in the eyes and skin

The yellowish color in the eyes and skin is a medical condition known as jaundice and happens due to the accumulation of bilirubin in the blood. Under normal conditions, this substance is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, then released with the bile in the intestine and eliminated in the feces. However, when it is produced in excess or when it cannot be disposed of properly, it ends up accumulating in the blood, giving rise to the yellowish color.

Thus, any problem that may affect the production or storage of bile can cause this type of symptom. Thus, although the yellowish color is always evaluated by the doctor as indicating a problem in the gallbladder, it is also evaluated if there is any change in the liver, since these are mainly responsible for its production and storage.

Check out the main causes of yellowish skin.

4. Persistent diarrhea

Diarrhea happens in cases of gallstones because bile, which is used to digest fat, cannot get out of the gallbladder and reach the intestine, causing an excess of fat in the stool that, in addition to leaving them more soft, it also increases the intensity of bowel movements. However, diarrhea is also a symptom that can arise associated with other gastric or intestinal problems, such as gastroenteritis, Crohn's disease and food intolerances.

These problems are quite different and require different treatments, but their symptoms can be very similar, including abdominal pain, fever and even nausea and vomiting. For this reason, if diarrhea persists for more than 1 week, a gastroenterologist should be consulted to understand the cause and start the most appropriate treatment.

See what can cause persistent diarrhea and what to do.

5. Nausea and vomiting

Another common symptom in cases of gallstones is the onset of constant nausea and vomiting, but these are also signs that can appear with other gastrointestinal problems, especially gastritis, Crohn's disease, appendicitis and any liver problem.

Thus, nausea and vomiting should always be evaluated by a doctor, especially if they last for more than 24 hours. Better understand what causes can make you feel sick and retching.

6. Loss of appetite

Loss of appetite although it may seem like a more specific symptom of gallstones, it can also happen when there is a gastric, intestinal or liver change. However, lack of appetite can also appear in milder situations, such as colds or flu.

Therefore, whenever it appears and lasts more than 3 days, or is accompanied by any of the symptoms indicated here, it is important to go to the hospital or consult a gastroenterologist or hepatologist. Check what can cause a lack of appetite and what to do in each case.

When you suspect gallstone

Although these symptoms may indicate several other problems, they are still important to identify a case of gallstones. Thus, there is a greater risk of being a gallbladder stone when:

• The pain appears suddenly and is very intense, in the upper right region of the abdomen; More than 2 of the associated symptoms appear; The symptoms appear or worsen after meals.

In these cases, one should go to the hospital or consult a gastroenterologist, or hepatologist, to carry out the necessary tests, confirm the diagnosis and start the most appropriate treatment.