The gallbladder, or gallbladder, is a small organ whose main function is to store the bile produced by the liver, but it also helps the digestion process. A gallbladder disorder is more likely to occur in women, people who are overweight, those with gastrointestinal problems, and those with high blood cholesterol levels. Gallstones are the leading cause of gallbladder disease; however, there are two other fairly common causes: cancer and inflammation of the gallbladder, or cholecystitis. Being able to recognize symptoms and seek appropriate care can help avoid discomfort and medical complications.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Recognizing Common Gallbladder Problems
Step 1. Learn about gallstones
When the digestive fluid of the gallbladder hardens and forms deposits, it can generate gallstones. These deposits can be of different sizes, from the size of a grain of sand to the size of a large golf ball.
Step 2. Watch for signs of jaundice
You should notice a yellowish discoloration of the skin or sclera of the eyes, the stools may become white or calcareous. Jaundice usually occurs when gallstones block the bile duct, causing bile to return to the liver, which at this point can begin to enter the bloodstream.
Step 3. Identify the symptoms of cholecystitis
This is inflammation of the gallbladder and can be caused by gallstones, tumors or other gallbladder problems. This inflammation often causes pain, usually along the right side of the body or between the shoulder blades, and is often accompanied by nausea and other stomach upset.
Excessive accumulation of bile can cause attacks on the gallbladder itself
Step 4. Be aware that nutrition affects the health of this organ
Eating large or high-fat meals can trigger a cholecystitis attack, which most often tends to occur in the evening, a few hours after eating.
Attacks of cholecystitis are usually a symptom that indicates the presence of an organ problem; If the function of the gallbladder is impaired and the gallbladder does not empty as quickly as it should, a seizure could occur
Part 2 of 3: Identifying the Symptoms
Step 1. Check for early symptoms
Some of the early symptoms of a gallbladder disorder are gas formation, belching, heartburn, bloating, constipation, or indigestion. It can be easy to overlook or forget these signs or diagnose them as minor problems, but be aware that being able to act promptly can be crucial.
These symptoms indicate that food has not been digested properly, which is quite common when you have a gallbladder disorder
Step 2. Know that there are symptoms that appear similar to gastroenteritis or a mild case of food poisoning
These include persistent nausea, constant fatigue, and vomiting.
Step 3. Assess the pain level
Gallbladder problems can often manifest as pain in the upper abdomen that radiates to the right shoulder. it can be constant or intermittent pain, depending on the cause of the specific problem.
The pain can get worse after consuming a high-fat meal
Step 4. Pay attention if you notice particularly annoying body odor or excessively bad breath
If you've always had particularly strong body odor or have always suffered from halitosis (chronic bad breath), it probably doesn't mean anything. However, if these features develop suddenly and don't go away within a few days, they could be a sign of an underlying problem, such as a malfunctioning gallbladder.
Step 5. Check your stool
One of the clearest signs of a gallbladder disorder is the formation of pale or chalky colored stools. The lighter color may be the result of an insufficient amount of bile being produced; you may also notice a darker color in your urine without making any changes in your fluid consumption.
Some people also suffer from a form of diarrhea that can last up to three months or more, with as many as 10 discharges per day
Step 6. Watch for fever with chills and tremors
These typically occur in the more advanced stages of the disease. Again, these are symptoms that are common to other conditions, but if you have had stomach problems and have noticed other indicators of gallbladder disorder, then fever could be a bad sign that the disease is progressing..
Part 3 of 3: Medical Treatments
Step 1. See your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms associated with gallbladder disorder
If you notice any symptoms, if they get worse, or if you develop new ones, you should see your doctor as soon as possible.
Some gallbladder problems, such as smaller gallstones, do not require invasive medical attention and can resolve on their own. However, a visit to your healthcare provider is required to rule out worse problems
Step 2. Book an ultrasound of the abdomen
To establish the functionality and efficiency of your gallbladder or if there are any large obstructions in the organ, an ultrasound scan is required. The technician checks for gallstones, checks the flow of bile, and checks for signs of tumors (which are rare).
- Most polyps that are found in the gallbladder during ultrasound are very small and do not need to be removed. However, the doctor may decide that they want to check the smaller ones through further subsequent tests, to make sure they do not grow. Larger polyps generally indicate a higher risk of gallbladder cancer.
- Removal of gallbladder polyps is at the discretion of the physician.
Step 3. Schedule gallbladder surgery if needed
Many problems that occur in this organ are resolved with the removal of large gallstones or the gallbladder itself (cholecystectomy). The body is able to function normally even without the gallbladder, so don't be alarmed if your doctor recommends removing it.
Gallbladder stones are almost never treated with medication. It takes years for a stone to dissolve with medicine, and the ones that can be effectively treated are so small that they are often not even worth healing
Advice
- Cut down on fatty foods.
- Doctors advise their patients to drink water and eat a balanced diet.
- Digestive enzyme supplements, available at pharmacies without a prescription, can greatly help reduce the frequency of symptoms, such as gas formation and pain by breaking down fat, dairy, and allowing you to digest large meals.
