The key role of the gallbladder is to store bile, which aids the body in breaking down and digesting the fats you consume. When you eat something, your liver produces bile juice, which enters your small intestine through a common bile duct. Let’s know about problems related to the gallbladder.
Problems Associated With Gallbladder
Gallbladder problems are a common issue that affects a larger mass of people. The gallbladder is a small organ under the liver that stores and concentrates bile. Bile has an important role in digestion. A person may experience pain and other symptoms when the gallbladder is not functioning properly.
Gallbladder problems can have several causes, but the most common is gallstones. These are hard masses of cholesterol, bile, and other materials that form in the gallbladder. They can range in size from a grain of sand to a golf ball and can cause pain, nausea, and vomiting.
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If you have gallstones or any problem with your gallbladder, you may have abdominal pain that ranges from minor to intense. According to the American College of Gastroenterology, outbursts of pain might last anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours.
Other common causes of gallbladder problems include gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis), infection, tumours, and blockages in the bile ducts.
Another gallbladder problem is gallstone pancreatitis, which is a condition that leads to pancreatic inflammation. Pancreatic injury develops when digestive enzymes are triggered before they are released into the small intestine and begin to harm the pancreas. Gallstone pancreatitis obstructs the ducts and causes the pancreas to dry up. This induces a serious condition called pancreatic inflammation.
Treatment Option
According to the WebMD website, when your gallbladder becomes blocked and it cannot secrete bile, it is dangerous to become infected or enlarged. This produces cholecystitis and, in some cases, necessitates a cholecystostomy if gallbladder removal surgery is unsafe.
Treatment for gallbladder problems depends on the cause and severity of the issue. For gallstones, the most common treatment is to have the gallbladder removed in a procedure called cholecystectomy. This is usually done laparoscopically, through small incisions in the abdomen. In some cases, the gallstones may be broken down with medications or sound waves without the surgical removal of gallbladder. If the gallbladder is infected, antibiotics may be prescribed. In cases of blockages, surgery may be necessary to open the bile ducts.
Also read: 8 Homemade Drinks To Promote Your Liver Health
If you think you may have a gallbladder problem, talk to your doctor. They can diagnose the issue and recommend a treatment plan to help relieve your symptoms.
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