Common Gallbladder Problem & Easiest Solution

Every human being has a gallbladder in his/her body. The shape of the gallbladder is similar to that of a pear and is approximately four –inch in size. It is located right beneath the liver in the upper right section of the abdomen. The basic function of the gallbladder is to store bile and deliver it into the small intestine. Some of the common gallbladder problems are inclusive of the following medical conditions

• Cholelithiasis or gallstones: the stones in the gallbladder can be of the size of small grain or as big as a golf ball. This condition of gallstone occurs when crystals are formed due to increased levels of bile and fat.
• Cancer in the gallbladder: the development of gallbladder cancer in an individual is very rare. It usually occurs due to other medical conditions of the liver like gallstones, and porcelain gallbladder.
• Perforated gallbladder: if a person suffering from the problem of gallstones leaves it untreated for a long time then perforation or a hole can develop in the walls of the gallbladder. This hole in the wall of the gallbladder can cause infection to spread to other parts of the body.
• Gallstone ileus: this medical condition is very dangerous as it can lead to the death of a person. Usually, this medical condition is very rare. This condition develops when the stone in the gallbladder moves into the intestine thereby leading to its blockage.
• Gallbladder polyps: this condition occurs when there is a growth of polyps. These are non-cancerous growth. The development of this medical condition does not cause any serious problems. If large polyps are developed then it becomes necessary to remove them.
• Porcelain gallbladder: it is a medical condition which develops when the calcium gets accumulated on the walls of the gallbladder. The development of this condition inhibits the proper functioning of the gallbladder and also increases the chances of development of cancer in the gallbladder.
• Gallbladder abscess: in this medical condition pus gets accumulated in the gallbladder due to the presence of gallstones. It can be a life-threatening condition and can cause severe pain in the abdominal region.
• Chronic gallbladder disease: this condition arises when the episode of gallstone attacks become recurrent which leads to permanent damage in the gallbladder.
• Inflammation of the gallbladder: this condition occurs when the bile cannot move out of the gallbladder. This condition usually occurs when a gallstone blocks the tube which carries bile in and out of the gallbladder.
• Common bile duct infection: this condition occurs when the bile duct gets blocked leading to the development of an infection. This condition can be life-threatening if not caught early and treated.
• Choledocholithiasis: the bile gets transferred from the gallbladder to the common bile duct through small tubes. In some cases, the gallstones develop in the common bile duct leading to the development of this condition. This condition can also occur if the stone formed in the gallbladder moves into the common bile duct.

The symptoms exhibited by the patients suffering from the problem of the gallbladder are given below

• Nausea and vomiting: irrespective of the problem of the gallbladder nausea and vomiting are the most common symptoms. People suffering from the problem of the gallbladder for a long duration of time usually suffer from recurrent episodes of nausea.
• Changes in the bowel movement: if a person is having unexplained episodes of diarrhea then it may be due to some disease of the gallbladder. If the stool passed by an individual is either light colored or chalky in color then it may indicate a gallbladder problem.
• Changes in the urine: people suffering from the problem of gallbladder usually pass dark colored urine. Blockage in the bile duct may also be indicated by the dark color of the urine.
• Jaundice: in people with gallbladder issues development of jaundice is a common occurrence.
• Pain in the upper right or mid portion of the abdominal region.
• Fever and chills: if there is an infection in the gallbladder then a person may experience fever and chills.

It was previously assumed by the doctors that consuming a diet that is low on fat content can provide necessary assistance in not only treating the problem of gallstones but also prevent growth. However, recent research conducted has found evidence which disapproved the previous assumptions of the doctors. The recent study indicated that losing weight quickly lead to an increase in the size of the gallstones. Consuming a balanced diet comprising of a wide variety of foods is not the cure for treating gallstones however, it can keep the symptoms caused by the gallstone under control. A person suffering from the problem of gallbladder must consume foods that are rich in fiber like peas, fruits, whole grains, vegetables, and beans. Consuming omega-3 fatty acids present in food products like salmon can also be beneficial. People with gallbladder problems need to reduce their sugar and carbohydrate intake.

In order to diagnose the problem of the gallbladder, a doctor may initially ask about the symptoms which are being experienced by the patient. A doctor may also take a family history of the patient into consideration. In order to confirm his/her diagnosis, a doctor may order the following tests

Blood tests: a blood test would be ordered to find out the sign of pancreatitis, inflammation of the bile duct, and infection.

Tests for examining the bile ducts: a doctor may order an MRI or HIDA scans to check for stones in the bile ducts. A doctor may also order an ERCP test to examine the bile duct.

Ultrasound: a doctor may order an ultrasound to check for the stones in the gallbladder.

The symptoms exhibited by men suffering from the problem of the gallbladder are given below

• Indigestion
• Bloating
• Yellowing of the skin or jaundice
• Fever
• Pain in the abdomen
• The problem in tolerating greasy or fatty foods.

Gallbladder problems occur more in women in comparison to men. The symptoms exhibited by women suffering from the problem of the gallbladder are usually similar to that of men. However, some additional symptoms which may be exhibited in a woman are given below

• Inflammation of the pancreas
• Infection inthe bile duct
• Sepsis
• Infection In gallbladder.

The treatment of the gallbladder problems depends on the type of condition a person is suffering from. If a patient is suffering from the problem of gallstone then a doctor may prescribe laparoscopic surgery to remove the stone from the gallbladder. Sometimes complete gallbladder is removed from the body to prevent the recurrence of a specific condition. If a person is suffering from the cancer of the gallbladder then the treatment is similar to that of other treatment of cancer like radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery.

Any person can suffer from the problem of the gallbladder. Usually, the majority of the gallbladder problems do not pose any serious risk to the health of an individual. However, gallbladder problems can worsen if the treatment is not taken timely.