What You Put in Your Body Affects Your Health Greatly

The gallbladder is a small organ next to the liver. It is full of bile produced by the liver. The appearance of the gallbladder changes throughout the day. Before meals, it is full and roughly the same size as a small pear. After meals, it is completely empty of bile and looks flat and deflated. This is due to the gallbladder sending its bile to the small intestines through small ducts connecting the two together. Gallbladders help the body digest fat, but it is not an essential organ. People who suffer from gallstones or other problems with the organ may have theirs removed and not suffer adverse reactions from it. This guide goes over some of the conditions that affect the gallbladder.

Gallstones

Sometimes the bile inside the gallbladder will turn hardened deposits known as gallstones. They are similar to kidney stones but do not pass through the system as a kidney stone will. The symptoms of this condition are:

• Intense, sudden pain below the breastbone

• Sharp pain between the shoulder blades

• Sharp, stabbing pain in the right shoulder

• Vomiting

• Severe nausea

The sharp pain that you feel is known as a gallstone attack, and it can range from a few minutes to a couple of hours. If you have recurring pain, you should seek medical attention immediately. The doctor can order an ultrasound of the abdomen and diagnose you with gallstones if they are present. Surgery to remove the organ is usually required to treat this condition.

Cholecystitis

This condition is an infection in your gallbladder. It occurs when the path to the bile ducts to the intestine are blocked. The symptoms of cholecystitis are:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Fever

• Bloating

• Loose, light-colored bowel movements

• Jaundice

There are several things that can cause the gallbladder to become blocked. The main one is gallstones. Others include lack of good blood supply, tumors, or gallbladder sludge. The treatment varies based on how severe the case is. Most likely, you will spend time in the hospital getting fluids through a vein so the gallbladder can rest. Antibiotics may be prescribed to fight bacterial infections. You may also need surgery to remove the organ.

Conclusion

These two conditions are very serious. If you think you are experiencing symptoms of gallstones or cholecystitis, seek medical help right away. If you delay treatment, you can get even sicker. In some cases, sepsis may set in and the treatment will be even more difficult.