Gallbladder is an organ in the body that is pear shaped and primarily stores as well as concentrates bile. It is connected with the liver by a duct called as hepatic duct. Bile is important for the body since it is the digestive fluid that is secreted by the liver. Typically a valve in the common bile duct is opened and the bile travels to the cystic duct and then into the duodenum. Bile plays a role in emulsifying fats and neutralizing acids in foods that are partly digested. There are a number of problems that can be associated with the gallbladder but many times the symptoms displayed with gallbladder problems are similar to those experienced in digestive problems. So many times people do not even realize that they are experiencing gallbladder problems. Therefore these symptoms need to be thoroughly investigated before gallbladder problems are ruled out. Some gallbladder problems include:

• There may be pain in the area under the rib cage around the right side or some tenderness in that area and this could be because of problems with the gallbladder. Nausea, gas problems, burping or belching, and dizziness can also be attributed to gallbladder issues. Diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, light colored stools; headache can also be related with gallbladder problems. Also the individual should pay attention to any bitter fluid that he can feel coming up after consumption of food.
  
  
• Gallbladder attack is also another problem associated with this important organ and the symptoms commonly include nausea, queasiness, gas, extreme pain under the rib cage, vomiting and severe case of upper abdominal pain. In such an attack the pain usually worsens after a meal and can occur at night also. The pain may increase on deep inhalation and such pain can last anywhere between 15 minutes to even 15 hours. Any tenderness or pain on the right side under the rib cage needs to be investigated.
  
  
• Sometimes gallbladder problems include a situation where the gallbladder is not emptied completely and this is also called biliary diskinesia. Sometimes lack of bile can cause improper digestion of fat. Formation of calculi in the area can result in the flow of bile slowing down and this can cause the organ to thicken. Other symptoms of problems with the gallbladder include weight gain and constipation.
  
  
• Cholecystitis is a condition where there is inflammation in the gallbladder. This is mostly because of gallstones but sometimes can also be a result of an infection. Gallstones are usually of three kinds. They may be caused because of changes in the cholesterol to bile salts ratio. Another kind is pigment stones and these are caused because of destruction of red blood cells as a result of some blood diseases. The third kind is mixed stones that contain layers of cholesterol.
  
  
• Choledocholithias is a condition where there is presence of gallstones detected in the bile duct. The symptoms in this situation ordinarily vary based on the location of the stone and also whether it is affecting or blocking the flow of the bile. If it blocks the neck region of the organ then it can cause distention and also inflammation. If it is in the common bile duct then it can result in the bile backing up into the liver and thereby causing jaundice. If it backs up into the pancreas then it can result in a condition known as acute pancreatitis. Where the bile backs up into the liver there may be excess bilirubin seen in the blood and this can cause the urine to become dark and the stools can be pale or even chalk colored.
  
  
• Where there are problems in the flow of bile because of obstruction in the small bite ducts it is called intrahepatic cholestasis and where the obstruction is in the large ducts then it is called extrahepatic cholestasis. Where there is excess of bile salts in systemic circulation it may cause skin irritation and also intense itching.
  
  
• Some other gallbladder problems include gallbladder polyps which are growth and protrusions in the lining of the gallbladder. These are not cancerous. These usually are not symptomatic and do not require any treatment. However sometimes they may become large enough to warrant a surgical removal.
  
  
• Gallbladder cancer is another major problem related to this organ and often this cancer is detected in a latter stage and usually requires the removal of the gallbladder. Women are more susceptible to this problem of cancer than men.