Gall Bladder Disease
Gall Bladder Disease Causes
Gallbladder disease is caused by conditions which can either slow down or obstruct the flow of bile out of the gallbladder, a sac located beneath the liver that stores and concentrates liver-produced bile. The gallbladder becomes dysfunctional when the liver produces unhealthy bile. Gallbladder disease comes in two forms, namely: cholecystitis, which pertains to gallbladder inflammation; and cholelithiasis, which pertains to the formation of gallstones.
Gall Bladder Disease Definition
Gall bladder disease is characterized by the infection, inflammation, or obstruction of the gallbladder. Gall bladder disease is also alternatively known as gallbladder attack, biliary disease, or biliary colic.
Gall Bladder Disease Diagnosis
Gall bladder disease can be diagnosed based on clinical symptoms. If tenderness is found during an abdominal exam, gall bladder is almost always suspected. To confirm the diagnosis, any or a combination of the following may be done: abdominal CT scan, abdominal ultrasound, gall bladder radionuclide scan, abdominal x-ray, and a CBC to screen for elevated white blood cell count. In addition, gall bladder disease may also be determined if anomalies are found in the following tests: amylase, urine amylase, lipase, and chemistry panel test.
Gall Bladder Disease Symptoms and Signs
Gall bladder disease typically presents with severe pain in the upper right side or upper middle right side of the abdomen, usually occurring right after meals and worsening during a deep intake of breath or after ingesting a high-fat meal. The pain is often recurrent and radiates to the back or just slightly below the right shoulder blade. Along with severe abdominal pain, gall bladder disease also manifests with a sensation of abdominal fullness, fever, vomiting and nausea, heartburn, chills, and pain under the breastbone.
Gall Bladder Disease Treatment
Treating gallbladder disease depends largely on the specific type. Gall stones typically do not cause any symptoms and therefore require no particular treatment. In cases where gallbladder disease is defined by unhealthy bile production, treatment is focused on improving the quality of the bile by improving the functioning of the liver. In some cases, surgery is required to remove the defective gall bladder. But even if the gall bladder is removed, problems in the liver's bile ducts may still persist. Therefore, it is necessary to address the underlying toxic bile problem during treatment. Patients may also require drastic dietary changes. Preserved meats, dairy products, smoked food, junk food, and the like must be avoided. Increasing daily water intake is also recommended.