With America’s growing decline in gastrointestinal health, due to poor diets and lack of exercise, more than 20 million individuals are plagued with gallbladder health concerns. According to an interview with board certified General Surgeon, J. Mario Villafani, M.D., “Gallbladder disease affects people who are obese, don’t exercise or who have suddenly and rapidly lost weight.” Additionally, he explains that individuals with a family history of the disease and women over 40, who are on hormone replacement therapy, are also at risk. Below you will find valuable information on the function, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of gallbladder disease.
Gallbladder Function
The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located in the right upper abdomen, attached to the liver via small ducts. Its purpose is to store excess bile produced by the liver, which aids in the breakdown of fats in the small intestine. Dr. Villafani explains, “Gallstones are chunks of calcified cholesterol and bilirubin that form when the gallbladder doesn’t empty properly.” The body, however, can continue to function quite well without a gallbladder should the need for removal arise.
Signs and Symptoms of Gallbladder Disease
Ranga Nathan, M.D., quoted in the May 2008 issue of Memorial Hermann Hospital System’s Health Highlights states that “Gallbladder pain usually comes on suddenly and unexpectedly.“ He goes on to explain that burning pain is typically located in the right- to mid-upper quadrant of the abdomen and can be accompanied by feelings of nausea and episodes of vomiting. In severe cases, the pain can move into the mid back and shoulder area. Patients who experience early gallbladder problems predominantly complain of gas and bloating after eating fatty foods.
Diagnosing Gallbladder Disease
The primary cause of the pain associated with a diseased gallbladder is generally related to small stones that form and pool in the body of the gallbladder, and sometimes embed in the lining of the organ, causing infection. Left untreated, the stones continue to grow, causing increased pain and discomfort. In some cases, gallbladder problems are present before the stones form. Your surgeon will be able to determine whether or not a stone is present by performing a Gallbladder Ultrasound. If no stones are seen on the ultradound, additional testing may be necessary to determine the cause of the discomfort, such as a HIDA Scan, a test that determines the rate at which bile is secreted from the gallbladder.
Treatment
If it has been medically determined that gallstones are present or that the gallbladder is dysfunctional, surgical excision of the gallbladder is the most effective way to treat the problem. Approximately 500,000 Americans undergo gallbladder removal each year. A Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that reduces recovery time and is less painful than open surgery. Patients can typically resume activities of daily living within days to less than two weeks after surgery compared to the four to six week healing time for an open procedure. Patients who undergo this one hour operation usually go home on the same day of the surgery.
Prevention
The best way to prevent gallbladder disease is to get plenty of exercise and maintain a healthy, low-fat diet. For women on hormone replacement medications, ask your doctor about Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy. For more information on Gallbladder Disease or if you think you are suffering from gallbladder dysfunction, please contact your family doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
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