Gallbladder 101

Gallbladder, Gallstones, Gallbladder attack... Chances are you have heard these terms before. Do you really know what the gallbladder is and what happens when it begins to cause you pain? Consider this your “Gallbladder 101 Course”. Read on to find out the purpose of your gallbladder, contributing factors to gallbladder issues and what happens when you gallbladder is diseased.

What is the gallbladder? The gallbladder is a small organ located in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen directly under the liver. The liver produces bile, which then flows through the bile duct into the gallbladder. The gallbladder serves as a storage house for bile, which is used to help digest the foods you consume. When you eat food, the small intestine releases a hormone signaling the need for bile. The bile is released into the small intestine to help the body break down and digest the food. Resembling the shape of a tapered sac, the gallbladder is about the size of a pear when full. The American Gastroenterological Association says more than 25 million Americans have gallbladder disease, and according to Women’s Health, gallstones are the cause of more than 800,000 hospitalizations every year in the United States.

What are the most common gallbladder issues? Most gallbladder issues are indicated by pain in the upper right or middle abdomen. Additional symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, heartburn or jaundice. The most common gallbladder issues are:

Gallstones: These are tiny stones that form from bile and cholesterol. These stones can block the release of stored bile in the gallbladder. Gallstones can cause severe pain that increases upon eating fatty or greasy foods and can also cause jaundice.

gallstone Pancreatitis: When a gallstone blocks the pancreatic duct pancreatitis inflammation of the pancreas occurs. This can cause severe abdominal pain and can be a life-threatening condition. If someone with gallstones develops sudden severe abdominal pain, they should seek medical treatment immediately.

Biliary Colic: This happens when the gallbladder contracts and the cystic duct becomes partially or fully blocked by a gallstone. This intermittent blockage can cause sudden and increasing pain or pressure in the upper abdomen that can expand up into the shoulder. Some individuals also experience nausea and vomiting. Pain related to Biliary Colic usually subsides within one to five hours but can last up to a day.

Cholecystitis: As a result of gallstones, inflammation can occur in the gallbladder tissue. Similar to Biliary Colic, individuals with Cholecystitis will experience pain in the upper right abdomen into the shoulder but the duration of discomfort is longer and can be accompanied by sweating, fever, chills, and bloating.

Cholangitis: Cholangitis is an infection of the common bile duct, the tube that carries bile from the liver to the gallbladder and intestines. This can cause fever, abdominal pain, nausea, and jaundice. This is considered a medical emergency and should be treated immediately.

What increases your risk of gallstones? Since most gallbladder issues originate with a gallstone, let’s take a minute to look into what increases your risk of gallstones.

Obesity: Obesity has a tendency to reduce the amount of bile salts and can lead to an increase in cholesterol. Obesity can also inhibit the gallbladder from emptying properly.

rapid weight loss: Eating a very low-calorie diet or having weight loss surgery can put you at risk of developing gallstones.

Estrogen: Excess estrogen from pregnancy, hormone replacement therapy, or birth control can increase cholesterol levels and decrease gallbladder movement, which may contribute to the development of gallstones.

Ethnicity: Native Americans have the highest rate of gallstones in the United States with Mexican American men and women coming in at a close second. It is suggested they have a genetic predisposition to secrete higher levels of cholesterol in bile therefore increasing the likelihood of developing gallstones.

Gender: Women are twice as likely to develop gallstones than men. Existing Medical Conditions: While the cause of pigment stones {gallstones formed by the hardening of bile and bilirubin} is uncertain, they tend to be more prevalent in people with cirrhosis of the liver, biliary tract infections, and hereditary blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia. Individuals with diabetes are also at a higher risk as they generally have high levels of triglycerides increasing their risk of gallstones.

How is the gallbladder removed? The most common treatment for gallbladder issues is laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. This is a minimally invasive procedure requiring a small incision in the belly button or lower abdomen. As with most abdominal surgeries, the abdominal cavity is filled with carbon dioxide causing the abdomen to swell and lift away from the internal organs allowing for better view and more area to work for the physician. The laparoscope, with a video camera on the tip, is inserted into the belly button and used to guide the surgeon during the procedure. Depending upon the severity of the condition, the surgeon may proceed in removing the gallbladder laparoscopically with a few tiny incisions. If the surgeon is unable to complete the procedure with this approach, a full abdominal incision may be needed to remove the diseased gallbladder. This is a safe and common procedure and most patients are able to return to normal activity within a few days if done laparoscopically. Patients are often advised to be mindful of diet immediately following the surgical removal of the gallbladder specifically avoiding greasy and fatty foods since they no longer have the storage house for bile to help digest these foods.

If you cannot find relief from symptoms or you experience a sudden intensifying of gallbladder pain or present fever, you should seek medical attention immediately. The surgeons at Premier Surgical Associates are certified by the American Board of Surgery and have specialized knowledge and skills relating to the comprehensive surgical care of the abdomen including the gallbladder.

To learn more about Premier Surgical Associates visit

www.premiersurgical.com