It is a small organ that stores bile, a fluid that helps digest fats in food. Gallbladder disease is a condition that affects the function or health of the gallbladder, such as gallstones, inflammation, infection, or cancer. Depending on the type and severity of the gallbladder disease, different treatments may be required.
The most common cause of gallbladder disease is gallstones, which are hard deposits of cholesterol or bilirubin that form in the gallbladder or bile ducts. Gallstones can block the flow of bile and cause inflammation, pain, and infection. The risk factors for gallstones include:
Being female
Being over 40 years old
Being overweight or obese
Having a family history of gallstones
Eating a high-fat, low-fiber diet
Losing weight rapidly
Having diabetes, liver disease, or blood disorders
Other causes of gallbladder disease include:
Cholecystitis, which is inflammation of the gallbladder, usually due to gallstones, infection, or trauma
Choledocholithiasis, which is the presence of gallstones in the common bile duct, which can cause jaundice, pancreatitis, or cholangitis
Cholangitis, which is inflammation of the bile ducts, usually due to infection or obstruction
Gallbladder cancer, which is a rare and aggressive type of cancer that can spread to other organs
Gallbladder polyps, which are benign growths that can sometimes become malignant
Gallbladder sludge, which is a thickened bile that can cause similar symptoms as gallstones
Biliary dyskinesia, which is a disorder of the gallbladder or the sphincter of Oddi, which regulates the flow of bile into the intestine
The symptoms of gallbladder disease can vary depending on the type and severity of the condition, but some common signs include:
Abdominal pain, especially in the upper right quadrant, that may radiate to the back, chest, or shoulder
Nausea, vomiting, or indigestion
Fever, chills, or sweating
Jaundice, which is yellowing of the skin and eyes
Dark urine or pale stools
Bloating, gas, or diarrhea
Loss of appetite or weight loss
Some people may have gallbladder disease without any symptoms, especially if they have silent gallstones that do not cause any obstruction or inflammation. However, some complications of gallbladder disease can be life-threatening, such as:
Gallbladder rupture, which is a rare but serious condition that can cause peritonitis, sepsis, or shock
Gallstone pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas due to gallstones blocking the pancreatic duct
Gallstone ileus, which is a bowel obstruction due to a large gallstone passing into the intestine
In order to diagnose gallbladder disease, a doctor will ask about the patient's medical history, symptoms, and risk factors as well as conduct a physical examination that may include checking for abdominal tenderness, jaundice, or fever.
Blood tests, to check for signs of infection, inflammation, liver function, or pancreatitis
Urine tests, to check for bilirubin or urobilinogen, which are breakdown products of bile
Stool tests, to check for fat or blood, which may indicate malabsorption or bleeding
Ultrasound, to visualize the gallbladder and the bile ducts, and detect gallstones, polyps, or tumors
X-ray, to look for gallstones, calcification, or air in the gallbladder or the bile ducts
CT scan or MRI, to provide more detailed images of the gallbladder and the surrounding organs, and detect complications or cancer
HIDA scan, which is a nuclear medicine test that uses a radioactive tracer to measure the function and flow of bile from the liver to the gallbladder and the intestine
ERCP, which is an endoscopic procedure that uses a flexible tube with a camera and a light to examine and treat the bile ducts and the pancreatic duct, and remove gallstones or stents
MRCP, which is a non-invasive alternative to ERCP that uses magnetic resonance imaging to visualize the bile ducts and the pancreatic duct
The treatment of gallbladder disease depends on the type and severity of the condition, the patient’s age, health, and preferences, and the availability of resources. Some possible treatments include:
Medications, such as antibiotics, painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, or bile acid pills, to treat infection, inflammation, pain, or dissolve gallstones
Diet and lifestyle changes, such as eating a low-fat, high-fiber diet, drinking plenty of water, exercising regularly, losing weight gradually, or avoiding alcohol, caffeine, or spicy foods, to prevent or reduce the symptoms and recurrence of gallstones or cholecystitis
Surgery, such as cholecystectomy, which is the removal of the gallbladder, either by laparoscopy or open surgery, to treat gallstones, cholecystitis, or cancer, or choledocholithotomy, which is the removal of gallstones from the common bile duct, either by ERCP or open surgery, to treat choledocholithiasis or cholangitis
Other procedures, such as lithotripsy, which is the use of shock waves to break up gallstones, or percutaneous cholecystostomy, which is the insertion of a tube through the skin into the gallbladder to drain bile or pus, to treat gallstones or cholecystitis that are not suitable for surgery
The prevention of gallbladder disease mainly involves reducing the risk factors for developing gallstones, such as:
Eating a balanced, healthy diet that is low in fat and cholesterol, and high in fiber, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
Drinking enough water and fluids to keep hydrated and flush out toxins
Maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding obesity or rapid weight loss
Exercising regularly and moderately to improve blood circulation and metabolism
Avoiding or limiting the use of oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, or certain medications that may increase the cholesterol or bilirubin levels in the bile
Having regular check-ups and screenings to detect and treat any underlying conditions that may affect the gallbladder or the bile ducts, such as diabetes, liver disease, or blood disorders
In addition to women, older people, and those with certain risk factors, gallbladder disease can affect anyone. It is possible to protect and improve one's gallbladder health and quality of life by learning about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of gallbladder disease.
