What should you know about the gallbladder and indigestion?

Indigestion, also called dyspepsia, may feel like burning, fullness, early satiety, belching or discomfort in the upper abdomen. Acid reflux, gastritis, an ulcer, a hiatus hernia and Helicobacter pylori infection can produce similar complaints.

Gallstones may cause steady pain beneath the right ribs or in the upper middle abdomen, sometimes after a rich meal, with nausea or pain that travels to the back or shoulder. Gallbladder inflammation or a blocked bile duct can become more serious and cannot be confirmed from symptoms alone.

Keep a short record of pain location, timing, meals, vomiting, stool or urine changes and medicines. Smaller meals, slower eating and avoiding personally recognised triggers may reduce indigestion while you arrange review.

A clinician may examine your abdomen and consider blood tests, ultrasound or testing for H. pylori. Treatment depends on the cause; do not regularly use acid-reducing or pain medicines without checking suitability, particularly if symptoms are new or persistent.

Seek urgent care for severe or constant abdominal pain, fever, repeated vomiting, yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, fainting or a swollen tender abdomen.

Arrange prompt medical review for black stools, vomiting blood, unexplained weight loss, difficulty swallowing, anaemia symptoms or indigestion that keeps returning. Chest pressure, sweating or breathlessness needs emergency assessment because heart problems can resemble indigestion.

Does the pain pattern suggest the gallbladder or another digestive cause? Should I have an ultrasound, H. pylori test or blood tests? Which medicines are safe for me, and what warning signs should trigger urgent review?