Can gallbladder pain be on the left side too?

Have you ever had sharp pains on your left side that resemble what feels like heartburn or indigestion? You could’ve just eaten something your body didn’t agree with, but it’s possible that it might have to do with one very important organ – the gallbladder. Contrary to popular belief, this vital organ isn’t only located on the right side.

Here’s a look at how to identify pain from gallstones and exactly where its nooks and crannies are hiding in your body.

The Curious Case of the Gallbladder

The gallbladder is part of our biliary system — an intricate arrangement within our liver that processes bile; without which we wouldn’t be able to break down fats during digestion. Your biliary tree extends all over your abdomen and even into some organs – making for quite an impressive layout.

And yet, some people barely give their gallbladders a second thought until they start experiencing strange sensations in their abdominal area.

Pathology of the Gallbladder: What can go Wrong?

There are several reasons why you might experience an inflamed or irritated gallbladder:

1. Gallstones: Depending on size, number, and location these pesky pebbles may cause intense discomfort.
2. Bile duct blockage: This blocks normal flow through necessary ducts leading outwards describing various symptoms including yellow eyes (jaundice).
3. Infections: These generally occur when bacteria make their way inside either due to jaundice-related weakening or after surgeries!
4. Tumors: Uncommon but if present tend more towards obstructive growth than cancerous tendencies.

So as you can see there’s plenty for doctors calling themselves hepatologists/gastroenterologists etcetera dealing with those sweet little lumps under everyone’s chests!

Sagittal/Coronal Anatomy: The Location of the Gallbladder

The gallbladder is situated just below your liver and sits quite comfortably beneath your left rib cage. Large parts of it in fact reside on the left side! This makes determining whether pain you are experiencing comes from here or elsewhere tricky to say the least.

Interestingly enough, physicians traditionally divide potential gallstones related pains into their general region:

1. Epigastric (upper middle)
2. Right upper quadrant (RUQ)
3. Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ)

So it’s definitely possible that you’ll feel pain predominantly toward one part over another.

ALARA Principle in Diagnosing Pain

Quick Question – How do doctors determine if those painful sensations belong to our good old pal- GB?

To put it simply, medical professionals tend to follow a principle known as “ALARA” when diagnosing symptoms which stand for “as low as reasonably achievable“. This means testing for any conditions should extend towards options with lower costs, simpler procedures, smaller risks while maintaining equally good outcomes.

Here are some routine tests performed when trying to diagnose gallstone related conditions:

1. Blood Tests: Often they perform Basic Metabolic Panels / Liver Function tests which evaluate enzyme concentrations indicative of biliary obstruction.
2. Ultrasonography: widely used due to its noninvasive nature & high sensitivity factors lining up several organs.
3. Cholescintigraphy: Set-Up requiring radioisotopes! Narrow pipe through throat down leading directly onto GB and complete assessment along with contrast mediums such as Technetium TC 99m Disofenin before imaging via gamma camera skills define location & functionality
4. Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography & Computed Tomography both could give full-scale view without even needing invasive measures – this leaves no actual tool inserted into you, giving preferred less harm procedures.

When Should You Call the Doctor?

Nobody likes going to the doctor – it’s just one of those inconvenient facts of life. And yet in some cases knowing when to get medical help could save lives!

Here are a handful of symptoms that should ring alarm bells and have you reaching for your phone immediately:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Yellowing skin or eyes (jaundice)
• an increase in respiratory rate
• persistent tenderness or pain

Knowing what normal feels like could prove beneficial: Every organ comes with its own individual ‘feel’ – getting accustomed with yours helps discern unusual developments warranting concern!

Ways to Help Alleviate Discomfort At Home

It is possible that after performing any required test(s), most physicians would suggest smaller, more try at home remedies before jumping towards prescriptions or surgical options – take rest assured folks we’re here for your well-being too!

1. Pain management medication such as Tylenol might be helpful.
2. Maintaining a diet low on fat and high on fiber offering minimal irritation relief for conditions based around biliary tree health issues.
3. Drink Plenty Water: Staying hydrated can reduce inflammation caused by gallstones whether solubilizing cholesterol contributing aspects
4. Apple cider vinegar mixed with water before meals has resulted in ease from restrictive ducts allowing normal flow once again-an oddity but hey who am I to argue!
5. About 250 mg of milk thistle thrice daily according to few research note-worthy references slows tumor growth by an impressive 50%! It indeed couldn’t hurt trying out something as seemingly healthy either.

Remember though folks often overdoing things goes against our fundamental nature which means moderation must always be appropriately adhered toward any attempt made towards overall self-care – this we mean both physically & otherwise!

Chronic Conditions: When Surgical Options Are Necessary

There are, unfortunately, cases where a mere change in lifestyle budgeting won’t provide the relief you need. In such cases there may be no choice but to try more aggressive forms of treatment.

Sometimes typical surgical procedures like gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) become necessary if enduring multiple irreducible or repeated attacks so severe it imperils overall health standing!

The Bottom Line

So now that you’re equipped with this newfound knowledge about your beloved (or not-so-beloved?) gallbladder – go ahead and share it! Let’s hope any discomfort or pain from biliary tree conditions caused by gallstones isn’t something ending up becoming a chronic problem demanding medical intervention later on utilizing all we’ve learned today can help prevent any unnecessary trip(s) to hospital while keeping costs ALARA at the same time!