Why you Should Not Ignore Gallbladder Symptoms Even if They Go Away Temporarily

 The gallbladder is a small organ located beneath the liver, primarily responsible for storing and releasing bile into the digestive system. Gallstones — hardened deposits that form in the gallbladder — can disrupt this process, resulting in intense abdominal pain.

You might dismiss this discomfort as a bad case of indigestion or stress, especially when your symptoms quickly disappear. But if the gallbladder is involved, temporary relief doesn’t mean you’re out of danger. 

With more than 30 years of experience in minimally invasive gallbladder surgery, board-certified physician Steven Patching, MD, specializes in safely resolving these issues. Read on to learn why you should never ignore gallbladder symptoms, and when surgery is the best option.

Understanding biliary colic (gallbladder attack)

While over 25 million Americans have gallstones, only about 20% ever experience a gallbladder attack or other issues. The problem occurs when a gallstone lodges in the narrow tube leading out of the gallbladder, known as the cystic duct.

This blockage causes the gallbladder muscle to contract forcefully against the obstruction, resulting in a sudden, severe bout of abdominal pain. Symptoms typically disappear within a few hours, which is why many people ignore them.

However, the gallstone doesn’t dissolve or disappear; it simply shifts away from the duct or falls back into the main body of the gallbladder. Because the stone remains in the gallbladder, it increases the chance of another, often more serious, obstruction in the near future.

Potential complications: Why timely care is essential

Once a stone causes an attack, its continued presence can irritate the gallbladder lining, creating chronic inflammation and progressive damage. Each subsequent episode carries a higher risk of developing into a full-blown medical emergency, such as:

Acute cholecystitis

Acute cholecystitis is a severe inflammation of the gallbladder that occurs when the blockage persists, trapping bile within. It’s a serious medical emergency, and waiting too long to seek care can lead to gallbladder rupture or a systemic infection.

Bile duct obstruction

Sometimes a gallstone moves past the cystic duct and completely blocks the bile duct that drains the liver. This significant obstruction causes bile to back up into the bloodstream, leading to jaundice — a yellowing of the skin and eyes — and requires immediate intervention to clear the duct.

Pancreatitis

A gallstone that obstructs the channel joining the common bile duct and the pancreatic duct can result in pancreatitis. The blockage forces digestive enzymes meant for the small intestine into the pancreas, resulting in rapid, potentially life-threatening inflammation.

The definitive solution: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Addressing gallbladder symptoms early is always easier and safer than waiting for an emergency, where inflammation and infection make surgery more complex and higher-risk.

Because gallstones do not dissolve naturally — and because the gallbladder is not necessary for healthy digestion — the only way to truly eliminate the threat of future attacks and complications is to remove the organ entirely. This procedure, known as a cholecystectomy, provides a permanent solution to the cycle of pain and damage.

Dr. Patching offers laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a minimally invasive outpatient surgery. It’s performed through tiny incisions with specialized tools, which means minimal pain, barely visible surgical scars, and a significantly faster recovery time compared to traditional open surgery.

We believe that financial concerns should never delay essential care, which is why our team provides flexible payment options and the lowest cash price available for this procedure in the Sacramento, California area. Reach out online or by phone today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Patching.