Gallbladder Disease

Also known as: gallstones, cholecystitis, choledocholithiasis, acalculous gallbladder disease, functional gallbladder disease.

What is gallbladder disease?

The gallbladder is a pouch located beneath the liver that stores bile before sending it along to the small intestine. Any medical condition that impacts the gallbladder can be lumped into the category of “gallbladder disease”.
 

What causes gallbladder disease?

Gallbladder problems typically occur if bile is unable to be released from the gallbladder. This can be due to a gallstone or other reasons. This causes bile to build up in the gallbladder and cause pain from inflammation and increased pressure within the organ. Occasionally, gallbladder problems can be caused by a mechanical or functional malfunction of the muscle that controls bile release.
 

What are the symptoms of gallbladder disease?

Symptoms can vary depending on the type of gallbladder disease that is present. They can include abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, and jaundice (which is a yellow tint to the skin and eyes).
 

What are gallbladder disease care options?

Minor gallbladder problems might be able to be managed with medication, but surgery to remove the gallbladder is often the recommended treatment. The gallbladder is an organ that you can live without.


 

Reviewed by: Shifra A Koyfman, MD

This page was last updated on: March 20, 2019 04:06 PM