A gallbladder attack is characterized by pain that may last several minutes or several hours. The pain can range from mild to severe. It is typically a symptom of a gallbladder problem or some form of gallbladder disease. It occurs when the gallbladder becomes inflamed for irritated for reasons that will be described below.

Medical professionals refer to a gallbladder attack as cholecystitis. It may also be called biliary colic or biliary disease.

In order to understand how a gallbladder attack takes place, it's helpful to know what the gallbladder is and the functions it performs.

Your gallbladder resembles a human thumb. It is a hollow organ located next to your liver. It is basically a storage area for a substance called bile, which is produced by the liver. Bile plays an important role in breaking down the food you eat, making it easier for the intestines to digest. Bile plays an extremely important role in metabolizing cholesterol and other fats contained in your food. When too cholesterol accumulates in the gallbladder (often after a fatty, cholesterol-heavy meal), it sometimes becomes irritated and inflamed. This is what causes the pain of a gallbladder attack. Depending on how much cholesterol has built up, it can be hours before the gallbladder returns to normal Eating a lot of fried foods can be tough on the gallbladder.

Sometimes, so much cholesterol builds up that it begins or harden or crystallize. This leads to the formation of pebble-like substances known as gallstones. Gallstones can be as big as a golf ball. But they can also be so small they're nearly invisible.

As mentioned earlier, the pain from a gallbladder attack may present itself in several different parts of the body. Pain often occurs in the abdominal region, but some people also feel it in the right shoulder or the area between the shoulder blades.

There are also several other ways you can experience a gallbladder attack. These include a gallbladder infection or an obstruction of some kind in the biliary tract (the path by which bile is secreted by the liver then transported to the small intestine).

Pain is the most common of gallbladder attack symptoms. But there are other gallbladder attack symptoms, including:

• a fever may occur, along with chills

• diarrhea and constipation

• there may be some dizziness

• a headache above the right eye may occur

• light or slate colored stools

• some nausea or vomiting may take place

• stomach bloating and stomach gas

Treatment for a gallbladder attack largely centers on the intensity of the pain and the exact cause of the problem. Sometimes, a sudden, severe gallbladder attack may require hospitalization. But people who have chronic, recurring attacks may also need to be hospitalized.

During hospitalization, you'll be given intravenous electrolytes and fluids. You'll also need to refrain from eating or drinking anything for a while.

During gallbladder attacks, fluids can accumulate in the digestive tract. The doctor may decide to place a tube through the nose and down into the stomach to keep the stomach empty. A regimen of antibiotics may also be appropriate.

Gallbladder removal surgery is a treatment option if attacks become frequent or chronic. Since you don't need your gallbladder to live, your doctor may recommend removing it to prevent future problems.

Sadly, some people will have gallbladder attacks no matter how careful they are about what - and how much - they eat. This can be true for individuals with a family history of gallbladder problems. For the most part though, it's possible to reduce your chances of having gallbladder attacks if your diet includes more low-fat, low-cholesterol foods. Regular exercise also helps by clearing the system of excess fats and cholesterol.

(Editor's note; The words "gallbladder attack" are also spelled spelled gall bladder attack by many individuals. There are also common mispellings, including galbladder attack, gallbladeer attack, and even gullblader attack.)