GALLBLADDER is a small pouch that sits just under the liver. The gallbladder stores bile produced by the liver. After meals, the gallbladder may be full of bile and about the size of a small pear. 

 

The gallbladder is the pear-shaped organ located at the right upper abdomen just under the ribcage.

 

GALLBLADDER FUCTION

Its primary function is to store and concentrate bile, a yellow-brown digestive enzyme produced by the liver. The gallbladder is part of the biliary tract.

 

Bile: is a liquid that helps you digest fatty foods. The gallbladder releases it into your small intestine. And your gallbladder is an organ you can live without.

 

READ ALSO: How Apples Help Keep The Gallbladder in good Condition

GALLBLADDER INFECTION

Nausea or vomiting: Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms of all types of gallbladder problems. But only chronic gallbladder diseases may cause digestive problems, such as acid reflux, gas, nausea, and vomiting.

Fever or chill. An unexplained fever may signal that you have infection.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CHOLECYSTITIS

Severe pain in your upper right or center abdomen

Pain that spreads to your right shoulder or back.

Tenderness over your abdomen when its touched

Nausea

Vomiting

Fever

 

CAUSES OF GALLBLADDER INFECTION

Inflamed gallbladder (Cholecystitis) inflammation of the gallbladder can be caused by gallstones

Excessive alcohol use. Or even tumors that cause bile build up.

But the most common cause ofcholesysttitis is gallstones.

GALLSTONES (Cholelithiasis)

A hardened deposit within the fluid in the gallbladder, a small organ under the liver

Gallbladder with stone

Chronic: can last for years or be lifelong.

READ ALSO: Liver Health: Naturally Taking Care Of Your Body

 

What happens when you have your gallbladder removed?

If you have your gallbladder removed, watch your diet carefully afterwards……..after surgery

Your liver still makes enough bile. But you might have difficult processing fatty foods-at least for a while.

More than half of patients who have their gallbladder removed have trouble digesting fat

BILE OR GALL

Is a dark green to yellowish brown fluid, produced by the liver of most vertebrates that aids in the digestion of lipids in the small intestine. In humans, bile is produced continuously by the liver (liver bile) and stored and concentrated in the gallbladder.

If you vomit bile more than once, a medical condition might be causing the problem. One common cause is the bile reflux, which happens when bile backs up from the liver into your stomach and esophagus.

Bile reflux is not the same as acid reflux. You get your acid reflux when acid backs up from stomach into your esophagus.

 

OTHER DISEASES THAT AFFECT THE GALLBLADDER

Biliary Dyskinesia

This is a motility syndrome that results from an abnormally functioning sphincter of Oddi. Your sphincter of Oddi is a muscular valve that controls the flow of digestive juices and bile from the liver and pancreas to the small intestine. If the sphincter of Oddi is not working properly, there is a backup of fluid in the ducts, causing an intensely painful obstruction

 

FUNCTIONAL GALLBLADDER DISORDER

This condition causes biliary pain in the absence of gallstones or a sphincter of Oddi problem. A test called a Cholecystokinin (CCK) – stimulating Cholescintigraphyis needed to confirm the diagnosis.

Primary Sclerosis Cholangitis

Primary Sclerosis Cholangitis (PSC) is chronic inflammation disease of the gallbladder and liver that may cause debilitating itching from bile acid accumulation. As the bile accumulates in the liver, cirrhosis develops, and eventually the liver loses its ability to function. Many people with PSC ultimately need a liver transplant.

 

MEDICAL HISTORY

During a medical history, your doctor will evaluate your personal and family history of gallbladder disease. He will also ask you questions about your symptoms, like whether you are experiencing upper right sided abdominal pain and if so, whether it is with eating a fatty meal.

 

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

In addition to a medical history, your doctor will check your vitals and perform a physical examination to look for sign of gallbladder disease like fever or jaundice, among others. Lastly, your doctor will likely perform a maneuver called “Murphy’s sign” which entails the doctor pressing on your gallbladder to see if any pain is elicited.

 

HOME REMEDIES FOR GALLBLADDER DISORDERS

1.      Momordica charantia

2.      Stachytarpheta indica

3.      Acalypha wikensiana

4.      Zea maize

ALSO: AMAZING BENEFITS OF ALMONDS!