The gallbladder is a pouch that sits just beneath the liver. The liver, of course, is located in the right upper quadrant. The gallbladder measures approximately 3 to 4 inches in length and about that in diameter. The gallbladder form part of the digestive system and it is used to sequester bile. Bile is used in the digestion of food.

The gallbladder functions generally with no problem for the lifetime of the person.

When the gallbladder becomes infected, it will cause pain. The gallbladder is also known to form gallstones. The gallstones are due to an accumulation of cholesterol. They are crystalline-like formations that when they occur is an abnormal occurrence and sometimes they will cause an obstruction of the gallbladder.

When this occurs, there is intense pain in the right upper quadrant of the person. The stones can also lead to an inflammation of the pancreas.

When a gallbladder becomes infected, then there is severe pain, fever, and in many cases, nausea and vomiting.

This condition sometimes will go away on its own, but most times it will require surgery.

If a person is experiencing pain that is in the right upper quadrant of their body and is associated with fever, nausea, vomiting, then this could be their gallbladder. If a person does experience these type symptoms, they should see their family doctor for a complete evaluation.

Once the gallbladder becomes inflamed, infected, or distended, then it needs to be removed.

Today, the procedure that most surgeons use is a minimally invasive procedure. most times after the gallbladder is removed, minimally invasively, then the person can go home in a relatively short time. because the procedure is minimally invasive, many can go back to work in an extremely short period of time.

Prior to minimally invasive surgery, if a person had their gallbladder removed, they would remain in the hospital for a minimum of seven days. This is not the case today.

If a person is experiencing any type of abdominal pain that does not go away in a reasonable length of time, they should see their family doctor.

This especially holds true if a person is experiencing fever and nausea with vomiting.

Dr. Gordon J. Rafool is a specialist in Family Practice and Geriatrics at Gessler Clinic, Winter Haven.