Gallbladder blockages, such as gallstones, can cause severe pain and illness. Other gallbladder problems include bile duct infection and gallbladder cancer. They often require urgent medical attention.
The gallbladder is an internal organ
Severe pain and discomfort can result if a blockage occurs or if it stops functioning correctly, pain and discomfort can occur.
In this article, we look at the function of the gallbladder, some common gallbladder problems and their symptoms, treatment options, and the long-term outlook.
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Some common gallbladder problems include:
Gallstones (cholelithiasis)
Gallstones are solid masses of cholesterol or pigment. They
They occur when high levels of fat and bile cause crystals to form. These crystals may combine over time and expand into stones.
Gallstones may or may not cause symptoms.
If symptoms occur, they
- abdominal pain that lasts several hours
- nausea and vomiting
- fever or chills
- jaundice, which causes the whites of the eyes to become yellow
- dark urine
- pale stools
Anyone with symptoms of gallstones should seek medical attention immediately.
Common bile duct stones (choledocholithiasis)
Small tubes transport bile from the gallbladder and deposit it in the common bile duct. From there, it moves to the small intestine. Sometimes, gallstones can lodge or form in the common bile duct.
These stones usually
A primary common bile duct stone is one that forms in the bile duct itself. They are less common but more likely to cause an infection than secondary stones.
Symptoms of common bile duct stones include:
- pain in the upper right abdomen
- jaundice
- itching
- pale stools
- dark urine
Gallbladder cancer
Gallbladder cancer is
Symptoms include:
- abdominal pain
- nausea or vomiting
- indigestion
- weakness
- loss of appetite and weight loss
- jaundice
- pale stools
- dark urine
Risk factors include gallstones, porcelain gallbladder, being female, obesity, and older age.
Inflamed gallbladder (cholecystitis)
Acute or sudden cholecystitis occurs when bile
A blockage in the bile duct can cause bile to build up. The excess bile irritates the gallbladder, leading to swelling and infection. Over time, the gallbladder becomes damaged and can no longer function fully.
Perforated gallbladder
Without treatment, gallstones
Perforation can also occur as a complication of acute cholecystitis.
What is a gastrointestinal fistula?
Bile duct stricture or blockage
Bile duct obstruction refers to a narrowing or obstruction of the bile ducts. The most
Symptoms include:
- nausea
- vomiting
- abdominal pain
- jaundice
- pale stools
- weight loss and loss of appetite
Without treatment, strictures
- liver problems
- kidney failure
- nutritional deficiencies
- internal bleeding
- infections, such as cholangitis
Bile duct infection (cholangitis)
An infection
Possible symptoms include:
- fever and chills
- malaise, or a general feeling of being unwell
- abdominal pain
- jaundice
- itching
- pale stools and dark urine
Early treatment is essential to prevent the infection from spreading. If it spreads, there is a risk of sepsis, a life threatening infection.
What is primary sclerosing cholangitis?
Dysfunctional gallbladder or chronic gallbladder disease
Repeated episodes of gallstone attacks or cholecystitis may result in permanent damage to the gallbladder, leaving it rigid and scarred.
Symptoms can be hard to pinpoint but may include:
- abdominal bloating and fullness
- indigestion
- increased gas
- diarrhea
Gallstone ileus
Gallstone ileus is
Sometimes, a gallstone passes out through the rectum without a person noticing, but some people will need emergency surgery to clear the blockage.
Symptoms include:
- crampy abdominal pain that comes and goes
- abdominal distention and tightness
- nausea and vomiting
- constipation
The symptoms may change as the stone travels through the digestive system. The severity of the pain will not necessarily reflect the impact of gallstones inside the body.
Gallbladder abscess
Sometimes, a patient with gallstones will also develop pus in the gallbladder. This is called empyema, and
Symptoms include pain in the upper abdomen.
Without treatment, it can lead to gangrene or sepsis, and a fistula may develop.
Individuals with diabetes, a reduced immune system, and obesity have an increased risk of developing this complication.
Porcelain (calcified) gallbladder
Porcelain gallbladder is a condition where, over time, the muscular walls of the gallbladder develop a buildup of calcium. This makes them stiff, limiting the gallbladder’s function and increasing the risk of gallbladder cancer.
Symptoms
There may also be digestive problems, such as:
- nausea
- vomiting
- gas and bloating
Symptoms may be worse in the evening.
Treatment usually involves surgery to remove the gallbladder.
Doctors use the word porcelain because the organ becomes bluish and brittle.
Gallbladder polyps
Gallbladder polyps is a name for
Often, there are no symptoms, and doctors find them by chance during imaging tests for another condition.
Most are noncancerous, but a person with polyps measuring
If a person has another gallbladder problem, such as cholecystitis, they may experience symptoms such as abdominal pain. If polyps become cancerous and affect the hepatic bile duct, jaundice may occur.
Symptoms of gallbladder problems can depend on the condition but include:
- pain in the mid to upper right abdomen that can range from mild to severe
- nausea or vomiting
- fever and chills
- changes in bowel movements, such as diarrhea and pale stools
- dark urine
- jaundice
- reduced appetite and weight loss
Anyone with gallbladder symptoms should seek medical attention.
Severe symptoms that need urgent attention include the following:
- abdominal pain lasting several hours
- fever and chills
- nausea, or vomiting
- changes in bowel movement and urination
- light stools and dark urine
- jaundice, which causes a yellowing of the whites of the eyes
These symptoms may indicate an infection or inflammation that needs immediate treatment.
Obesity is a
A balanced diet can help boost overall health and well-being.
Opt for:
- whole rather than processed foods
- healthy fats, such as olive oil
- foods without added sugar
- high fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
A doctor
- symptoms
- personal and family medical history
- dietary habits
They will also carry out a physical examination.
If they suspect a gallbladder problem, they may order the following tests:
- imaging tests, such as an ultrasound or CT scan
- tests to examine bile ducts, such as MRI, hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scans, and an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
- blood tests to look for signs of infection, inflammation of the bile ducts, pancreatitis, and other complications
Gallbladder problems are usually treatable, but prompt treatment is often necessary.
Gallstones that do not cause symptoms
If an infection is present, a person may need antibiotics.
Some gallstone problems will need surgery, for example:
- gallstones with pain and other symptoms
- a tumor
- a blockage
- a porcelain gallbladder
In some cases, an emergency gallbladder removal will be necessary.
If surgery is not possible, a person may need gallbladder drainage with a tube. The doctor inserts a tube through the skin directly into the gallbladder.
The gallbladder is not an essential organ, and gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) is a common type of surgery.
In most cases, surgery will be laparoscopic or “keyhole” with general anesthesia.
The surgeon inserts a thin tube with a tiny video camera into a small incision in the abdomen. The camera transmits images from inside the body to a video monitor. Using the monitor for guidance, the surgeon removes the gallbladder through one of the small incisions.
In many cases, the person can go home the
Some people need open surgery, for instance, if there is widespread infection, inflammation, or scarring from other procedures. They may need to stay in the hospital for up to
Risk factors will vary according to the condition, but having gallstones can increase the risk of other conditions.
People may have a
- are female
- have obesity
- are older
- lose weight rapidly
- take some medications, including birth control pills
- have a family history of gallstones or certain genetic factors
- have diseases such as cirrhosis, sickle cell anemia, and cystic fibrosis
- have problems with the ileus, or small intestine
Here are some tips that
- maintaining a moderate weight
- avoiding rapid weight loss
- following a diet that provides fiber and healthy fats, such as olive oil
- avoiding added sugar and unhealthy fats, found in desserts and fried foods
- favoring whole foods over highly processed foods
Here are some answers to questions people often ask about gallbladder problems.
What are the signs of gallbladder problems?
The symptoms will depend on the cause. Not everyone has symptoms, but there may be upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and jaundice. Some people may lose weight due to a loss of appetite. Some problems can cause a fever.
What are the most common gallbladder problems?
Common problems include cholecystitis — an inflammation of the gallbladder — and gallstones (cholelithiasis). Other possible problems are gallbladder polyps, cancer, and strictures or obstructions of the bile ducts.
Gallbladder problems include gallstones, infections, and blockages. There are different types of problems, but common symptoms include pain in the upper abdomen, nausea, vomiting, and jaundice.
Gallstones and other issues can lead to severe illness, and it is essential to seek help if symptoms appear.
In many cases, treatment will involve surgery. Many people have their gallbladder removed as an outpatient and go home the same day. A person can live without a gallbladder and have a good quality of life after recovery.