A pear-shaped organ, the gallbladder is situated directly below the liver. It is a component of the diges>ve system and is in charge of storing and releasing bile produced by the liver into the small intes>ne. A necessary fluid called bile aids in the diges>on of dietary fats, cholesterol, and several vitamins. Learn about the gallbladder, its func>on, gallbladder surgery, and the healthiest meals for people with gallbladder pain. Below is a picture showing where in the body the gall bladder is located.
What is a Gall Bladder and What Does It Do?
The right lobe of the liver's right lobe is below the gall bladder, also referred to as the chloecyst, which is a hollow organ. When fully bloated, it appears grey-blue, is 7–10 cm long, and has a diameter of 4 cm.
A gall bladder's main job is to hold bile produced by the liver in its pouch. Bile is a substance that the liver secretes; it travels through >ny arteries and into the gallbladder, where it is stored and concentrated. The gallbladder rhythmically contracts when we consume foods high in fat and cholesterol, releasing gallbladder juice into the small intes>ne via a network of tubes known as ducts.
The elimina>on of some water and electrolytes causes the bile to be concentrated 3–10 >mes in the gall bladder before being released into the small intes>ne.
The value of the gall bladder
The gall bladder is not a vital organ for existence, despite the fact that bile is a vital fluid that aids our body in beOer fat diges>on. Even aQer having your gall bladder removed, you can s>ll lead a regular life. But without the gall bladder, the bile that the liver produces has nowhere to build up and concentrate. Because of this, bile is released directly into the small intes>ne, making it challenging for our diges>ve system to process significant quan>>es of faOy, oily, or high-fiber meals.
AQer having their gall bladder removed, pa>ents must modify their diet to prevent problems like bloa>ng, gas, and diarrhoea.
Gallbladder Disorders
The gallbladder doesn't typically cause any health problems. But if something hinders or slows down the movement of bile, issues can occur. Obesity, pregnancy, excessive faOy food consump>on, and other factors can all contribute to gallbladder problems. Several typical gall bladder issues include:
First, gallstones
Gallstones are, as their name implies, hard, stone-like accumula>ons of diges>ve juices that have crystallised in the gall bladder. They are composed of calcium and cholesterol. There is ongoing debate over the precise reasons why gallstones form. However, doctors think that a diet high in fats and cholesterol, extended fas>ng, and a low-calorie diet designed for quick weight loss are the main contributors to gallstone forma>on.
Usually innocuous, these stones don't cause any symptoms. Pa>ents, however, occasionally report experiencing abdominal pain. Many pa>ents have inquiries about cholelithiasis (the produc>on of gallstones), including
Why do these gallstones develop?
What signs are present?
How are gallbladder stones iden>fied?
How are gallbladder stones handled?
How has life been aQer the gallbladder was removed?
Ask renowned gallbladder specialist Dr. Prabhakar B, Consultant - General, Laparoscopic & Minimal Access Surgery, Manipal Hospital Whitefield, the answers to all of these queries about gallstones.
Cholecys>>s 2. Cholecys>>s is the medical term for gall bladder inflamma>on. Gallstone development is the primary cause of it. When these stones obstruct the gallbladder's tube, bile accumulates and causes inflamma>on. Infec>ons, acute illness, bile duct issues, and tumours can all contribute to cholecys>>s. This gallbladder dysfunc>on might result in poten>ally fatal complica>ons including gallbladder rupture if it is not treated.
These are typical signs of this condi>on:
the upper abdomen hurts
When touched, your abdomen feels tender.
nausea and diarrhoea
Fever
The removal of the gallbladder is the most typical treatment for cholecys>>s.
3. Cancer of the gallbladder
Although it's rare, anyone can develop gallbladder cancer. It can be treated if discovered early on. However, because the signs and symptoms are not immediately apparent, it is usually only discovered in the laOer stages. Abdominal pain and bloa>ng, loss of appe>te, unexpected weight loss, a high body temperature, a mass in the abdomen, and jaundice yellow skin and white eyes are some of the typical symptoms of gallbladder polyps cancer.
4. Pancrea>>s from gallstones
This disorder causes pancrea>>s, which results in inflamma>on and pain in the pancreas, when gallstones that have formed in the gallbladder clog the pancrea>c duct. This occurs as a result of the gallbladder stone passing through the gallbladder and blocking the
duodenum, which is the first segment of the small intes>ne. Due to this, fluid can back up and ascend both the pancrea>c and bile ducts.
Chills, fever, nausea, jaundice, vomi>ng, and discomfort in the upper leQ abdomen are all typical signs of gallstone pancrea>>s. Blood tests and other body scans, including CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds, can be used to diagnose it.
Gallstone pancrea>>s can be treated with a few days of fas>ng if the symptoms are minimal. In more extreme cases, pa>ents must have their gallstones surgically removed.
Sclerosing cholangiocarcinoma 5.
The bile ducts inside and outside the liver develop inflamma>on, scarring, and finally restrict or block, which is a liver ailment.
Biliary Colic 6.
The common bile duct or cys>c duct of the biliary tree are typically blocked by stones in this disorder, which causes significant abdominal pain.
Advice for Preven>ng Gallbladder Issues
Gallstone development is not en>rely avoidable. However, the following advice will help you lessen your risk of future gallstones and minor gallbladder pain:
Eat foods high in fibre.
Consume foods rich in fibre, such as whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.
Limit your intake of foods heavy in sugar and fat.
Limit your consump>on of faOy, sugary foods such ice cream, buOer, full-sugar soQ drinks, cakes, and biscuits. Pick unsaturated, healthful fats like olive oil, fish oils, etc.
monitoring your weight
Maintain a normal BMI. One of the main causes of gallstone forma>on is obesity. Moreover, gradually reduce weight. It has been established that quick weight loss raises the risk of gallstones.
Keep to your normal ea>ng rou>ne.
Avoid skipping meals. Make sure you follow a healthy ea>ng regimen.
Procedures and Treatments for Gallbladder Issues
Cholecystectomy, or gallbladder removal, is the most popular and efficient form of treatment for gallbladder disorders. At Manipal Hospitals, the removal of the gallbladder is a rou>ne procedure carried out using laparoscopic surgery. With the use of cudng-edge laparoscopic and video-guided technology, our gastroenterologists may perform minimally invasive cholecystectomies (gallbladder removals) easily while maintaining pa>ent comfort at all >mes.
To determine the severity of the stones, doctors may administer a number of tests and scans before beginning the gall bladder removal procedure. Common gallbladder examina>ons include:
(Cholescin>graphy) HIDA scan
During this technique, a radioac>ve dye is given intravenously and released into the bile. Cholecys>>s is most likely to be the reason if the scan shows that bile does not go from the liver to the gallbladder.
Ultrasound
An abdominal ultrasound is carried out by medical professionals to examine for gallstones and the gallbladder wall. It is a non-invasive test in which abdominal organs are probed with high-frequency sound waves using a probe aOached to the skin. In addi>on, doctors will occasionally perform an endoscopic ultrasonography to look for gallstone pancrea>>s and choledocholithiasis. A flexible tube with a small probe on the end is introduced through the mouth into the intes>nes during an endoscopic ultrasonography.
ERCP stands for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.
ERCP uses upper gastrointes>nal (GI) endoscopy and X-rays to diagnose and treat problems with the pancrea>c and bile ducts. A flexible endoscope with an aOached camera is introduced via the mouth, stomach, and small intes>ne during this exam. Through the tube, the doctor can inject dye into the bile system ducts to enhance their visibility on x-rays. Addi>onally, doctors can insert >ny instruments through the endoscope to perform a variety of procedures, including opening blocked or congested ducts, dissolving or removing stones, taking a biopsy, or elimina>ng tumours in the ducts.
Unlike ERCP, magne>c resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is a non-invasive procedure. Using an MRI scanner, doctors can obtain detailed images of the pancreas, gallbladder, and bile ducts. MRCP images direct addi>onal examina>ons and therapies.
X-rays
X-rays can be used to detect gallstones.
Removal of Gallstones Process
Before performing this surgery, the doctor will do a thorough physical examina>on and analyse your medical history. Addi>onally, this will aid in reducing or avoiding any hazards. Your doctor will place a laparoscope through a keyhole incision in your lower abdomen and find the damaged gallbladder first. He will cut the gallbladder away and remove it through the incision using a different tool that will be placed into a different incision close to the first one. Dissolvable sutures will be used to close the wounds. The following day, you may return home. For the best treatment op>ons, make an appointment now at our gastro hospital in Bangalore.
All About Gallbladder and its Problems
Surgery to remove the gallbladder complica>ons
Following surgery, pa>ents could have a few problems, including
Infec>on
Bleeding
The biliary duct has been hurt
Reflux of bile
Addi>onally, some pa>ents may experience acid reflux following gallbladder removal.
Dr. Sonali Gautam is a consultant gastroenterologist practicing in Navi Mumbai. After completing her post-graduate training she completed her super-specialty training in gastroenterology from Bombay hospital under the guidance of eminent gastroenterologist & hepatologist Dr. Deepak N Amarapurkar.
Later she joined Seth G.S. Medical College & Hospital, Mumbai in the dept of Gastroenterology, where she trained in an endoscopic procedure.
“She has worked with wide experience of patients from various demographics along the entire stretch of India.”
Op>mal Nutri>on for Gallbladder Pa>ents
Pa>ents with gallbladder discomfort and other condi>ons affec>ng the gallbladder should consume a diet that is high in fibre, low in fat and cholesterol, and moderate in calories. The best foods for those with gallbladder problems are:
Oats, brown rice, brown bread, and other whole grains
Fresh produce and fruits
dairy products with less fat
Sprouts
faOy meat
Chicken and fish
Legumes (beans, peas, and len>ls)
foods low in fat
The following foods raise the risk of developing gallstones:
All About Gallbladder and its Problems
fried and processed food
soda beverages
Eggs
Sugary and faOy foods
Lactose-rich dairy products