The job of the gallbladder is to store the bile produced by the liver and to
release it on an as-needed basis for digestive purposes. However, it isnt easy
to keep this complex mixture of chemicals in liquid form. The various elements
of bile have a natural tendency to form sludge, lumps, and hard deposits called
gallstones. The body uses several biochemical methods to prevent such
condensation from occurring, but this natural chemistry does not always succeed.
More than 20% of women and 8% of men develop gallstones at some time in their
lives.
You could have gallstones in your body for many years without experiencing any problems. According to current medical guidelines, no treatment is necessary unless pain or other problems begin to develop. However, when a gallstone plugs the duct that leads out of the gallbladder, the organ becomes inflamed and often infected, creating a condition known as cholecystitis.
Generally, gallbladder pain begins with occasional minor attacks that subside rapidly. Perhaps the stones are blocking the duct temporarily and then moving out of the way. However, when full obstruction occurs, the pain often becomes severe and recurrent.
The most reliable symptom of cholecystitis is intense pain beneath the right lower rib cage, often occurring from midnight to3 A.M. Typically, pain radiates to the right shoulder and is accompanied by a loss of appetite and sometimes nausea. Frequently, fatty meals seem to bring on the pain with particular force.
Techniques for removing the gallbladder have become quite sophisticated. Today, the gallbladder can be removed quickly and usually without complications, bringing full relief of symptoms.
Living without a gallbladder does not seem to bring any long-term consequences. However, many people are opposed on general principle to removing an organ that nature has placed there. The medication Actigall may be able to dissolve gallstones when it is taken for many months.
You could have gallstones in your body for many years without experiencing any problems. According to current medical guidelines, no treatment is necessary unless pain or other problems begin to develop. However, when a gallstone plugs the duct that leads out of the gallbladder, the organ becomes inflamed and often infected, creating a condition known as cholecystitis.
Generally, gallbladder pain begins with occasional minor attacks that subside rapidly. Perhaps the stones are blocking the duct temporarily and then moving out of the way. However, when full obstruction occurs, the pain often becomes severe and recurrent.
The most reliable symptom of cholecystitis is intense pain beneath the right lower rib cage, often occurring from midnight to3 A.M. Typically, pain radiates to the right shoulder and is accompanied by a loss of appetite and sometimes nausea. Frequently, fatty meals seem to bring on the pain with particular force.
Techniques for removing the gallbladder have become quite sophisticated. Today, the gallbladder can be removed quickly and usually without complications, bringing full relief of symptoms.
Living without a gallbladder does not seem to bring any long-term consequences. However, many people are opposed on general principle to removing an organ that nature has placed there. The medication Actigall may be able to dissolve gallstones when it is taken for many months.