Gallbladder Diseases
The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ tucked beneath the liver, whose primary function is to store and concentrate bile — a digestive fluid produced by the liver and released into the small intestine to aid in the digestion of fats. Gallbladder diseases are extremely common and range from asymptomatic gallstones discovered incidentally to acute, life-threatening infections and cancer.
Gallstones
Gallstones are by far the most prevalent gallbladder condition, affecting approximately 10–15% of adults in Western countries. They form when the constituents of bile — primarily cholesterol, bilirubin, and bile salts — become imbalanced and precipitate out of solution. Most gallstones are composed predominantly of cholesterol. Risk factors include female sex, advancing age, obesity, rapid weight loss, a diet high in fat and refined carbohydrate, pregnancy, certain medications (including oral contraceptives and fibrates), and a family history. Many gallstones never cause symptoms. When a stone blocks the cystic duct, it causes biliary colic — sudden, severe, cramping pain in the right upper abdomen, often radiating to the right shoulder or back, typically triggered by a fatty meal.
Complications
Complications of gallstones include acute cholecystitis (infection and inflammation of the gallbladder, causing persistent fever and right upper quadrant pain), choledocholithiasis (a stone migrating into the common bile duct, potentially causing jaundice and pancreatitis), and ascending cholangitis (a serious bacterial infection of the bile ducts, which can be life-threatening).
Other gallbladder conditions
Gallbladder polyps are usually benign but warrant monitoring. Porcelain gallbladder (calcification of the gallbladder wall) and gallbladder cancer (rare but aggressive) complete the spectrum.
Choosing where to be treated
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