Gallbladder
Gallbladder is a small muscle member with a cavity and similar in shape to the pear, located under the liver on the right side of the upper abdomen. The primary role is to store and concentrate the yellow (Bile) The structure contains fat-dense enzymes, produced by the liver; to help the body absorb nutrients and fat-soluble vitamins.
After eating, the intestinal cells produce a hormone called cholecystokinin, which stimulates the gallbladder to extract the yellow juice into the small intestine through the common bile duct. It also discharges liver waste into a part of the small intestine called the intestine Ten (Duodenum).
Diseases of bitterness
Gallstones
Gallstones are rigid deposits formed in the gallbladder as a result of crystallization of substances in the bile material in the gallbladder or as a result of incomplete or complete discharge of the gallbladder. They are usually small in size not exceeding a few millimeters but can grow in size up to several centimeters. As gravel increases, the ducts that exit the gallbladder may be closed and lead to problems involving pain and inflammation.
Main types of gallstones:
- Cholesterol stone: The most common type of cholesterol is found in the yellow substance, often the color is greenish yellow.
- Pigment stone: The less common type of bilirubin and calcium salts such as calcium bilirubinate; the substance resulting from the destruction of red blood cells.
In addition to the females are more susceptible to gallstones, there are many Factors that increase the risk of gallstones Such as:
- Obesity.
- Diabetes.
- Aged 60 years and over.
- Take drugs containing estrogen.
- Take cholesterol-lowering drugs.
- Losing weight fast.
- There is a satisfactory history of gallstones in the family.
Gallbladder inflammation
There are two kinds of cholecystitis:
- Acute Cholecystitis This is caused by a blockage in the gallbladder, which prevents yellow matter from getting out of the gallbladder. The cause is often gallstones, accompanied by a direct eating pain in the upper right or middle of the abdomen.
- Chronic cholecystitis: Occurs as a result of repeated attacks of acute inflammation, and then shrink the gallbladder and lose its ability to store and remove yellow matter.
Common bile duct stones
The presence of stones within the common bile ducts, which connect the gallbladder and the small intestine, most often these stones have formed in the gall bladder, and moved to the channel, this type is called secondary gravel is the most common months, and in rare cases Grains inside the same canal, called primary grits, often cause this kind of inflammation.
Gallbladder disease
Acalculous gallbladder disease is a gallbladder without gallstones, and there are many factors that can cause it, such as heart, abdomen, severe burns and others.
Gallbladder cancer
Gallbladder Cancer is a rare disease that is often diagnosed in advanced stages of the disease, making it difficult to treat. Symptoms may be similar to acute gallbladder inflammation and symptoms may never appear, and if not treated, the disease spreads to other channels and members.
Benign gallbladder tumors
Gallbladder polyps are non-cancerous benign polyps that may be small and do not pose a risk for gallbladder, so they do not need to be removed. If they are large, they must be surgically removed to avoid other problems or cancerous growth. .
Gangrene or gall bladder
Gangrene of the gallbladder occurs when the blood flow of gallbladder is ineffective and is one of the most common complications of gallbladder inflammation. Diabetes is a contributing factor.
Abscess of gallbladder
Abscess of Gallbladder, a pus or pus inside the gallbladder and composed of white blood cells, bacteria and dead cells, accompanied by severe abdominal pain, occurs in a small proportion of those with gallstones. If this condition is not treated, it becomes life-threatening and the inflammation spreads to other parts of the body.
Perforated gallbladder
Perforated gallbladder, if the gallstones are not treated for a long time, this may result in perforated gall bladder. This condition is considered to be dangerous as it can lead to widespread abdominal inflammation.
Ceramic gallbladder
Porcelain Gallbladder: The natural gallbladder contains muscle walls. As time passes, the walls become more rigid because of calcium deposits. Those suffering from this problem are more likely than others to develop gall bladder cancer.
Symptoms associated with gallbladder disease
The following are the main symptoms associated with gall bladder disease:
- the pain: The most common symptom of gallbladder disease is usually located in the upper right and middle of the abdomen, and may sometimes extend to the back or chest, and the pain ranges from light to intermittent and persistent.
- Nausea and vomiting: Is a common symptom in all gallbladder diseases.
- Heat or cold chills: Usually there is evidence of inflammation. It must be treated before it spreads to other parts of the body and thus becomes life-threatening.
- Chronic diarrhea: Active bowel movement – more than four times a day for at least three months – indicates a chronic disease of the gallbladder.
- Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin, which usually occurs due to obstruction of the bile duct in front of the yellow substance coming from the liver towards the intestine due to the presence of gallstones or liver problem.
- Change the color of stool and urine: The color of the stool changes to light color, and urine to dark color may be caused by bile duct obstruction.
Diagnosis of gallbladder diseases
To diagnose gallbladder disease, the doctor performs one or more of the following procedures and tests:
- Medical history of the patient: List of symptoms previously suffered by the patient in addition to family history of gall bladder disease.
- Physical examination: The doctor uses a special method to examine the abdominal area clinically by putting his hand on the gallbladder and pressing, and then ask the patient to breathe to observe the Murphy’s sign, and if the patient felt severe pain there is a high probability of a problem of gallbladder.
- X-ray abdominal imaging: (English: X-ray) sometimes gravel biliary containing calcium special show during the X-ray imaging.
- Blood tests: Blood tests, such as the number of white blood cells, and the examination of liver function, are dependent on the presence of inflammation in the bile duct or pancreas.
- Ultrasonic abdominal imaging: Abdominal ultrasound is a non-surgical examination using high-frequency sound waves that produce a picture of the gallbladder indicating the presence of gravel or increased thickness of walls in the gallbladder.
- MRCP: (Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography); using the MRI technique, a high-resolution image of gallbladder, duct, bile, and pancreas is obtained.
- HIDA scan and fluorescence: (Hepatobilary Iminodiacetic Acid) is used with a radioactive dye injected into the vein and then excreted with yellow matter, and by observing the movement of the radioactive dye, it is confirmed that there is inflammation of bitterness.
- Pancreatic and Biliary Endoscopy Imaging ERCP: (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) using a flexible tube inserted from the mouth through the stomach to the intestine, and then injected into the bile ducts through the tube. Through this technique can deal with some cases of gallstones.
Treatment of gall bladder disease
Treatment options include:
- Use of antibiotics and analgesics: If the patient suffers from inflammation of the gallbladder without the presence of stones, antibiotics are used to prevent the spread of inflammation.
- Use of acidic acid (Ursodeoxycholic Acid) This medicine is used in patients with pebbles, and it is not appropriate to perform surgery for them. The drug helps to break up small cholesterol stones and reduce symptoms.
- Crushing the gravel with shock waves: (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotrispy) is made using high-impact shock waves that extend over the abdominal wall to break up small gallstones.
- Surgery: The surgical option is sometimes appropriate for the condition, either in the traditional way by performing a large laparotomy or laproscopically by making three abdominal openings and entering a camera. Doctors prefer the second method of speed and ease The patient’s recovery after the scarring. In general, gallbladder removal does not cause noticeable problems in digestion, but it can lead to minor problems such as diarrhea, poor fat absorption.