Understanding the gallbladder and its common conditions
Food is meant to be one of life’s pleasures, but if you have gallbladder issues, the basic act of eating can turn into a real pain. The gallbladder is an organ that rarely gets the attention or respect that it deserves as it makes digestion possible as long as it functions properly. The gallbladder often goes along unnoticed unless it fails to function, which can lead to major digestion issues and painful problems. So, take a closer look at the gallbladder to examine how it functions to break down fats, as well as the common diseases and disorders that impact it, and the factors that raise your risk for them. Then, get a breakdown of the warning signs to watch for, along with a look at the treatments to fix what’s eating you when you eat.
A small organ with a big role
While mini in size, the gallbladder is a mightily important part of the digestive process. It’s a small, pear-shaped pouch that is located in the upper right part of the abdomen, right below your liver. While this organ is often overlooked, the gallbladder is crucial to your overall digestive health. The gallbladder serves the vital role of storing and releasing bile, which is a digestive fluid made by the liver that helps you digest the fats in the foods you eat. When you consume fatty foods, the gallbladder squeezes bile into the small intestine to break down fats in the food you’ve eaten. This allows your body to absorb the essential fatty acids and the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, which you need for good health.
Chew on these causes for concern
Unfortunately, there are several conditions that can lead to problems with your gallbladder and ultimately disrupt your digestion, your diet, and your life. Gallbladder disease can be caused by a variety of issues, such as inflammation, infection, blockage, or tumor. Some of the most common gallbladder diseases include:
- Gallstones – These are hardened deposits of bile that develop in the bile ducts or gallbladder.
- Cholecystitis – Inflammation that occurs when a gallstone trapped in the gallbladder prevents bile from being released.
- Biliary dyskinesia – A functional disorder where your gallbladder cannot move bile through the bile ducts, which leads to an obstruction and inflammation.
- Gallbladder cancer – Although this is rather rare, tumors can develop in the bile ducts or gallbladder.
Digest your risk
Gallbladder issues can affect anyone and can strike at any time. Yet certain lifestyle and genetic factors can greatly increase your risk for painful problems. Some you can control, but others you simply cannot. The following factors may make you more susceptible to suffering from a gallbladder problem:
- Eating a high-fat diet
- Having a high-cholesterol diet
- A diet low in fiber
- Being overweight
- A sedentary lifestyle
- Having diabetes
- Losing weight very quickly
- A family history of gallbladder problems
- Native American or Latino background
- Being female
- Being over age 60
- Being pregnant
Break down the warning signs
With gallbladder diseases, the symptoms can range from uncomfortable to upsetting. The most common and constant symptom of a gallbladder problem is abdominal pain. It can be difficult to know whether you have a gallbladder issue because the pain can vary so greatly from person to person, and the symptoms can be similar to familiar conditions like heartburn and indigestion. Recognizing the signs of a problem is vital because leaving gallbladder problems untreated can lead to serious complications. Contact your SignatureMD-affiliated doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Pain in the upper right abdomen
- Pain in the middle of the abdomen
- Back pain between the shoulder blades
- Stomach discomfort after eating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Chronic diarrhea
- Dark urine
- Jaundice
Treating gallbladder matters
By the time you’re experiencing pain, it’s time to seek treatment. Diagnosing a gallbladder problem typically begins with having a physical examination, a blood test, and an ultrasound to determine whether your gallbladder is healthy and if there are any blockages. If your gallbladder isn’t functioning properly or you have gallstones, the treatment is based on the extent of the condition, your medical history, and whether the discomfort diminishes. If the pain subsides and the issue isn’t serious, no treatment may be necessary. If the pain is persistent or gallstones are causing problems, the most recommended treatments include gallbladder removal, medications to dissolve the gallstones, and making healthy adjustments to your diet and lifestyle.
By recognizing signs of a gallbladder problem and getting prompt medical care, this little organ can do you a lot of good by ensuring healthy digestion.