Why does the gallbladder hurt?

Gallbladder pain may be caused by factors such as gallstones, cholecystitis, or liver abscess. During a gallstone attack, patients may experience paroxysmal or persistent pain, possibly accompanied by symptoms like nausea and vomiting. The pain may resolve spontaneously once the obstruction is relieved, or it may cause colicky pain if the stone becomes lodged in the neck of the gallbladder or the cystic duct during expulsion. Cholecystitis mainly causes gallbladder pain due to repeated inflammatory irritation; the pain often worsens after overeating or alcohol consumption. Liver abscess is a common suppurative liver disease, usually caused by pathogen infection. Inflammatory mediators can lead to dull pain or discomfort in the right upper quadrant or mid-epigastric region, often accompanied by chills and fever.