The gallbladder is a small organ that stores and releases bile, a digestive fluid.
It is on the right side of the body, under the liver.
Gallbladder sludge may or may not cause symptoms.
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It may be found when looking for the cause of right-sided back or abdominal pain.
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Does Gallbladder Sludge Always Cause Symptoms?
Biliary sludge or gallbladder sludge does not always cause symptoms.
There is not a lot of data on how many people with gallbladder sludge have symptoms.
Symptoms may come and go or stop completely.
In 20% of people, the sludge may be present but cause no symptoms.
The other 5% to 15% will experience progressive disease and the formation of gallstones.
Gallbladder Sludge on Ultrasound
Gallbladder sludge may be seen during an ultrasound.
An ultrasound uses sound waves to see the structures and organs inside the body.
When there’s a reason to look at the gallbladder, the test used is called a transabdominal ultrasound.
Gallbladder sludge bounces the sound waves back, so it is seen during this test.
If sludge is seen but there doesn’t appear to be any gallstones, another test may be done.
Another test that might be used is endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS).
An EUS combines endoscopy and ultrasound.
A thin tube is passed into the mouth and down through the digestive tract.
Formation From Bile
Bileis a substance needed by the body to digest fats eaten in food.
Bile is produced in the liver and transported to the gallbladder, where it is stored.
When bile stays in the gallbladder for longer than it should, it can become stagnant.
It begins to form particles that turn into sludge.
The contents of gallbladder sludge can vary based on the cause.
Some people may also have a genetic factor that makes them more likely to have gallbladder disease.
The LITH genes affect the creation and transport of cholesterol and bile acids.
Certain variants of LITH genes may make a person more likely to have gallstones that have symptoms.
It’s estimated that 25 to 30% of symptomatic gallstones may be associated with variants in LITH genes.
Treatment
If sludge is seen or suspected, a sample of it may need to be obtained.
A healthcare provider will not want to use too many invasive tests unless there is a compelling reason.
People who have documented gallbladder sludge may be candidates for treatment with Actigall (ursodeoxycholic acid).
Removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) may be recommended, especially for people who are having symptoms.
This treatment would be curative because without the gallbladder, sludge can no longer form in it.
There is little evidence thatalternative and complementary methodscan help wipe the gallbladder of sludge or prevent gallstones.
What to Eat
To manage gallbladder sludge, your healthcare provider may recommend somechanges to your diet.
Some observational studies show that drinking coffee may be associated with a lower incidence of gallbladder problems.
Monitoring Related Complications and Conditions
Gallbladder sludge may progress togallbladder diseaseorgallstones.
A healthcare provider can assess whether monitoring or treatment is needed.
However, in some cases, sludge is associated with complications, such as the formation of gallstones.
There’s also a potential to developbiliary colic.
This is when a bile duct becomes obstructed, causing pain and other symptoms.
However, much is still not known about gallbladder sludge and how it may affect overall health.
Summary
Gallbladder sludge can occur with or without symptoms.
Most people will not know that they have gallbladder sludge or have any symptoms.
Sludge in the gallbladder could lead to developing stones in the gallbladder.
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