Gallbladder diseaseoccurs when there is inflammation, an infection, or blockages in the gallbladder.
Thegallbladderis a small, saclike organ located under the liver.
It stores and concentratesbileproduced by the liver.
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Gallbladder problems happen when a bile duct becomes blocked.
Gallbladder disease encompasses many conditions, such asgallstonesandcholecystitis.
Common symptoms include pain in the right upper abdomen, fever, nausea, and vomiting.
Gallbladder disease is usually diagnosed with blood tests and imaging studies.
This article discusses the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for gallbladder disease.
Often, there are no symptoms when gallbladder disease starts.
This may be because pregnancy and birth control pills are gallstone risk factors.
What Causes Gallbladder Disease?
Gallbladder disease triggers when the gallbladder becomes swollen, irritated, or infected.
Gallbladder tumors can also cause blockages but are very rare.
Gallstone risk factors include:
How Is Gallbladder Disease Diagnosed?
Gallbladder disease is diagnosed with a physical exam, medical history, blood tests, and imaging studies.
Your healthcare provider will feel your abdomen during a physical exam and ask you to point to the pain.
They will ask about your symptoms, how long they have lasted, and when they worsen.
If you develop severe abdominal pain, call your healthcare provider right away.
A low-fat diet, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight can both treat and prevent gallbladder disease.
Complications Associated With Gallbladder Disease
Gallbladder disease is treatable.
Gallbladder disease cannot always be prevented, but lifestyle changes can lower your risk.
Both diet and exercise can protect you from gallbladder disease.
Cholesterol contributes to the formation of gallstones, so avoiding high-cholesterol foods can lower your risk.
These include fatty cuts of meat, butter, lard, and cream.
Avoiding excess weight can also protect you from gallbladder disease.
Obesity increases the bile’s cholesterol, leading to more gallstones.
Losing weight may lower your risk of gallbladder disease.
What to Eat With Gallbladder Disease
Your diet can affect your risk for gallbladder disease.
To lower your risk, focus on fiber-rich foods and healthy fats.
These include:
To lower your risk of gallbladder disease, avoid sugar and refined carbohydrates.
Most people who have gallbladder surgery make a full recovery.
We do not need a gallbladder to survive.
Removing the gallbladder also prevents any future attacks.
See your healthcare provider if you develop symptoms of gallbladder disease that keep coming back.
This is especially important if you develop sudden, severe abdominal pain.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gallbladder disease.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Gallstones.
American Cancer Society.What is gallbladder cancer?.
National Organization for Rare Diseases.Acute cholecystitis.
National Health Service.Gallstones prevention.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, & nutrition for gallstones.
