Gallbladder Disease
The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ located under the liver at the right upper section of the abdomen. The gallbladder serves as a storage tank where bile acid produced from the liver are stored and concentrated and later released. Bile consists of fluid, fats and cholesterol which helps to break down fatty food in the intestines. After production, bile is transported to the gallbladder via the common hepatic duct which is later secreted into the intestines through the common bile duct for the digestion of fats and other fat-soluble nutrients thereby enhancing their absorption into the bloodstream.
Any disease or condition that affects the gallbladder is considered as gallbladder and these include inflammation of the gallbladder, accumulatio of stones, infection or blockage of the gallbladder or its ducts.
Common diseases of the gallbladder
- Inflammation: Also known as cholecystitis involves the inflammation of the walls of the gallbladder due to different causes. It may present as an acute or chronic case with an ultrasonography scan being the diagnostic test of choice. For acute cases, the patient may take antibiotics, analgesics for pain while waiting for cholecystectomy or any other treatment modality while in chronic cases, a timely cholecystectomy is a curative treatment.
- Gallbladder stones:It is also known as ‘cholelithiasis’ are the presence of small, hardened deposits that form in the gallbladder. In some cases, it may go for years undetected but eventually may start causing mild to moderate problems like inflammation, infection and pains. Most gallbladder stones are from cholesterol, calcium deposits, pigments from excessive bilirubin in the body and bile stasis with cholecystectomy as the treatment of choice.
- Blockage of the bile ducts:This is the blockage of the ducts through which bile is secreted into the intestines. This could be as a result of chronic inflammation of the neck of the gallbladder, impaction of the tubes by gallstones, a congenital abnormality such as bile duct stenosis or atresia. The prognosis of this condition depends entirely on how fast this condition is detected.
- Gallbladder abscess:A few percentages of people with gallbladder stones may develop abscess of the gallbladder (empyema)due to the buildup from the duct obstruction. Also, in severe infection, the gallbladder may tear, allowing the infection to enter the inside lining of the abdomen (peritonitis).
- Other diseases of gallbladderconditions that may be discovered during a gallbladder ultrasound evaluation include gallbladder polyps, cancer of the gallbladder, perforated gallbladder, porcelain gallbladder
Signs and symptoms of gallbladder disease may include:
- Severe pain in your upper right or centre abdomen may spread to your right shoulder or back.
- Jaundice (a yellow tint to the eyes and skin).
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
What are the risk factors associated with gallbladder disease?
The 7-F rule for the development of cholelithiasis in the event of upper abdominal pain:
- Fair: prevalent in the Caucasian population
- Fat: BMI >30 kg/m2 and hyperlipidemia
- Female
- Fertile: one or more children
- Flatulence or bloating
- Family history
- Forty: being older
How are gallbladder diseases detected?
The most commonly used test to diagnose gallbladder disease is an Ultrasound. It is a safe, painless and non-invasive procedure that creates an image of the gallbladder by transmitting high-frequency sound waves through body tissues. This may reveal signs of cholecystitis or cholelithiasis in the gallbladder and bile ducts. Other investigations that can be done include Liver function test, Pancreatic enzymes assay, Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).
How do I reduce my risk of cholecystitis/gallstones?
Some things that can contribute to gallbladder disease or other complications, like your sex, ethnic group, or age, can’t be controlled but some other risk factors can be modified to help lower the risk
- Lose weight slowly - Being overweight or having Diabetes puts you at a higher risk of getting gallstones. Gradual weight loss can help reduce the risk but rapidweight loss can increase the risk of gallstones
- Maintain a healthy weight - Having a healthy weight, reducing calories and increasing your physical activity could reduce your risk for gallstones.
- Choose a healthy diet - Eat a healthy diet. A high-fibre, low-fat diet helps keep bile concentration in liquid form. Having a diet high in fat and low in fibre may increase the risk of gallstones
How are gallbladder diseases treated?
Treatment will depend on the specific gallbladder disease or problem and may include:
- Antibiotics and analgesics for asymptomatic or mild cases of cholecystitis
- If gallstones are small and don’t contain calcium, they may be dissolved with Ursodeoxycholic acid tablets.
- Lithotripsy, a process that uses shock waves to break apart gallstones and other masses.
- Partial or total cholecystectomy, a surgical procedure where part or the whole gallbladder is removed.
When to see a doctor.
Symptoms of a gallbladder problem may come and go. However, you’re more likely to develop a gallbladder problem if you’ve had one before.While gallbladder problems are rarely deadly, they should still be treated. You can prevent gallbladder problems from worsening if you take action and see a doctor
Symptoms that should prompt you to seek immediate medical attention include:
- Abdominal pain that lasts at least 5 hours
- Jaundice
- Pale stools
- Sweating
- Low-grade fever, or chills.