Bile is released through the common bile duct. This is a tube-like structure that connects the gallbladder and liver to the small intestine. But when it blocks the flow of bile through the ducts, it can cause problems.
Most often, ducts are blocked by gallstones. Petyn says. Gallstones are small, pebble-like substances that form in the gallbladder. They develop when bile contains too much cholesterol or salt and becomes solid. Gallstones become a problem when they migrate outside the gallbladder and block the flow of bile. But if you experience a gallbladder attack, contact your doctor.
Your doctor may refer you to a gastroenterologist or surgeon for treatment. Nonsurgical treatment may include what is known as watchful waiting if you have no symptoms. It may include nonsurgical therapies to destroy gallstones causing pain, though others could form in the future. Your doctor may also recommend exercising more, eating more fruits and vegetables and fewer foods high in sugars and carbohydrates.
Gallbladder - gallstones and surgery. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. Symptoms of gallstones Types of gallstones Causes and risk factors for gallstones Diagnosis of gallstones Complications of gallstones Treatment for gallstones Surgical removal of the gallbladder or gallstones Where to get help Things to remember.
Symptoms of gallstones In approximately 70 per cent of cases, gallstones cause no symptoms. The symptoms of gallstones may include: pain in the abdomen and back. Pain is generally infrequent, but severe increase in abdominal pain after eating a fatty meal jaundice fever and pain, if the gallbladder or bile duct becomes infected.
Types of gallstones There are three main types of gallstones being: mixed stones — the most common type. They are made up of cholesterol and salts.
Mixed stones tend to develop in batches cholesterol stones — made up mainly of cholesterol, a fat-like substance that is crucial to many metabolic processes. Cholesterol stones can grow large enough to block bile ducts pigment stones — bile is greenish-brown in colour, due to particular pigments. Gallstones made from bile pigment are usually small, but numerous. Causes and risk factors for gallstones Gallstones are more common in women than in men.
Diagnosis of gallstones Doctors diagnose gallstones by using a number of tests, including: general tests — such as physical examination and x-rays ultrasound — soundwaves form a picture that shows the presence of gallstones endoscope test — endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography ERCP. A thin tube is passed through the oesophagus and injects dye into the bowel to improve the quality of x-ray pictures hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid HIDA scan — a special type of nuclear scan that assesses how well the gallbladder functions magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography MRCP — a form of the body-imaging technique magnetic resonance imaging MRI.
The image is similar to an ERCP test. Complications of gallstones If gallstones cause no symptoms, you rarely need any treatment. Complications that may require prompt medical treatment include: biliary colic — a gallstone can move from the body of the gallbladder into its neck cystic duct , leading to obstruction.
Symptoms include severe pain and fever inflammation of the gallbladder cholecystitis — a gallstone blocks the gallbladder duct, leading to infection and inflammation of the gallbladder.
Their urine may also turn orange or brown pancreatitis — inflammation of the pancreas, caused by a blocked bile duct low down near the pancreas. Pancreatic enzymes irritate and burn the pancreas and leak out into the abdominal cavity cholangitis — inflammation of the bile ducts, which occurs when a bile duct becomes blocked by a gallstone and the bile becomes infected.
This causes pain, fever, jaundice and rigors shaking infection of the liver cancer of the gallbladder occurs rarely. Treatment depends on the size and location of the gallstones, but may include: dietary modifications — such as limiting or eliminating fatty foods and dairy products lithotripsy — a special machine generates soundwaves to shatter the gallstones.
This treatment is used in certain centres only, for the minority of people with small and soft stones medications — some medications can dissolve gallstones, but this treatment is only rarely given, due to side effects and a variable success rate surgery. Traditional cholecystectomy would have required a stay in the hospital for up to 5 days.
There are considerations for every type of procedure, whether laparoscopic or open, and these include infection, injury to the bile duct, as well as permanent discomfort, but these complications are infrequent.
If a patient is experiencing constant gallbladder stones or has frequent acute pain in the lower right abdomen a consultation with a gastroenterologist is recommended. Symptoms of gallstones The three most common symptoms of an inflamed gallbladder are bloating, nausea, and vomiting.
Biliary dyskinesia This disease often occurs when the gallbladder will not empty bile correctly due to a hindrance in motion. Pancreatitis Pancreatitis is a considerably more serious situation. Choledocholithiasis This condition is caused when gallbladder stones have moved to the bile duct but may be stuck.
Where is my gallbladder? Doctors perform the procedure to provide permanent relief to a person with gallstones and other problems associated with the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small organ located on the underside of the liver. Its primary purpose is bile storage. The liver makes bile, a substance that helps the body break down and absorb fats.
The gallbladder then stores the extra bile the liver makes. It releases bile when you eat a meal with fats that need to be digested. Normal digestion is possible without a gallbladder. According to the Mayo Clinic , laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the most common type of gallbladder removal surgery performed.
However, open gallbladder surgeries are still used for a variety of people, especially those who have scar tissue or other anatomical complications from prior abdominal surgeries. Bile can be thick and create blockages along the pathway where it typically empties. The gallbladder is also prone to develop gallstones in certain people. Gallstones are hard deposits of substances in the bile that can get stuck inside the gallbladder and biliary ducts. They can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball.
Gallstones can also lead to acute or chronic gallbladder inflammation, sometimes with an associated infection, which can cause:. A surgeon will remove your gallbladder if gallstones cause significant pain and other complications. A doctor will recommend gallbladder removal if your gallbladder is causing a severe, acute problem or has become a chronic concern. Some symptoms that may indicate the need for gallbladder removal include:. Sometimes a doctor will recommend watchful waiting to see if gallbladder-related symptoms lessen.
Diet changes, such as reducing overall fat intake, may also help. If symptoms persist, a doctor may recommend surgery. Open gallbladder removal is considered a safe operation. Complications are rare. However, every surgical procedure carries some risks. Before the procedure, your doctor will perform a complete physical examination and medical history to minimize these risks.
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