Know Your Gallbladder ( courtecy;-web MD ) We explain what it does, who gets gallstones, and how to spot signs of a problem.
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Know Your Gallbladder ( courtecy;-web MD )
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What It Does
Your gallbladder sits on the right side of
your belly, below your liver. It’s a small organ, shaped like a pear, that
holds a fluid called bile. This liquid, made in your liver, helps you digest
fats and certain vitamins. When you eat, your body gets the signal to release
it -- through channels called ducts -- into your small intestine.
Gallstones
The
most common reason people have trouble with their gallbladder is gallstones.
You get them when bile clumps together and forms solid masses. They can be as
big as a golf ball, and you can have just one or several.
Types of Gallstones
Most
stones are made of hardened cholesterol. But people with certain conditions
like cirrhosis and sickle cell disease are more likely to have another kind
called pigment stones. These are made of bilirubin -- a brownish yellow
compound your liver makes when it breaks down old red blood cells.
Cholecystitis
If a
gallstone gets into a duct and keeps bile from flowing out, your gallbladder
can get inflamed. That’s called cholecystitis, and it can lead to nausea,
vomiting, and belly pain. Bacteria also can cause it. You can tell you're
having gallbladder trouble by where it hurts: the upper right part of your
belly. It might get worse when you take deep breaths, and you may also feel
an ache in your back or right shoulder blade.
If You Think You Have a Problem
Your
doctor will examine you and might want to take a sample of your blood to look
for signs your body is fighting an infection. You probably will have an imaging
test, like an ultrasound. It uses sound waves to make detailed images of your
gallbladder. Your doctor also might want an X-ray of your belly or other blood
tests to see how well your liver is working.
Treatment for Cholecystitis
Some
gallstones never cause problems and can be left alone -- they're called
“silent." But if you have symptoms, your doctor may recommend surgery,
called cholecystectomy, to take out your gallbladder. You’ll be fine without it
-- the bile your liver makes will flow straight into your intestine.
Special Risks for Women
Researchers believe estrogen plays a role
in gallstones. The female sex hormone can boost the amount of cholesterol in
your bile. And pregnancy can cause a buildup of something called gallbladder
sludge, a thick liquid your body can’t absorb ea
Family History
If
someone in your family has had gallstones, your chances of getting them are
higher. Mexican-Americans and Native Americans are more likely to have them
than other people -- the Pima tribe of Arizona has the highest rate of
gallbladder disease in the world. Researchers think certain genes can raise the
amount of cholesterol in bile.
Obesity
If
you’re overweight, your body may make more cholesterol, which means you’re more
likely to have gallstones. You also may have a larger gallbladder that doesn’t
work as well as it should. If you carry most of your weight around your waist
rather than in your hips and thighs, that may also raise your chance of getting
gallstones.
You’ve Lost Too Much Too Fast
If you
drop weight too quickly, you can be more likely to have gallstones,
because weight loss surgeries and very low-calorie diets can be hard on your
gallbladder. Cycling -- losing and regaining weight over and over -- also can
cause trouble. The safest course is a slow one: Aim to shed fewer than 3 pounds
a week.
You’ve Lost Too Much Too Fast
If you
drop weight too quickly, you can be more likely to have gallstones,
because weight loss surgeries and very low-calorie diets can be hard on your
gallbladder. Cycling -- losing and regaining weight over and over -- also can
cause trouble. The safest course is a slow one: Aim to shed fewer than 3 pounds
a week.
Medications Can Play a Role
Birth
control pills and hormone replacement therapy can raise your chances of
gallstones because they have estrogen in them. Medicines called fibrates, which
help lower your cholesterol, have been linked to gallbladder disease because
they can raise the amount of cholesterol in your bile.
Diabetes Connection
If you have this condition that affects your kidneys, you may have more of a kind of fat called triglyceride in your blood, and that can boost your chances of gallstones. Researchers also think your gallbladder may not react to your body’s signal
Steps You Can Take
The
risk of gallstones is higher once you’re past 40, but you can do a few things
to help avoid them. Stay at a healthy weight, but don’t fast or go on crash
diets. Eat plenty of fiber and good fats like olive and fish oil, and don’t eat
much refined grain. Choose whole wheat instead of white bread, for example, and
brown rice instead of white.
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