In this video, Dr. Fullington addresses what causes gallbladder symptoms.

The gallbladder is responsible for storing bile. When food enters the small intestine, the gallbladder squeezes to release bile to help digest fats. When the gallbladder is not functioning properly and bile can’t get into the intestines, fat cannot be broken down. The undigested fats can cause symptoms like bloating, belching, fullness, nausea, vomiting, loose bowel movements, and foul smelling gas. The most common cause of gallbladder dysfunction is the development of gallstones. These stones can block the ducts of the gallbladder and prevent the bile from exiting when the body signals the gallbladder to squeeze, often causing sudden pain in the right upper abdomen or mid upper abdomen that can travel into the back. This is called biliary colic, or symptomatic cholelithiasis.

Dr. Nora Fullington is a surgeon specializing in hernia and gallbladder surgery at Boston Hernia and Boston Gallbladder.