Gallbladder Problems and Gallbladder Health

Posted: Jul 07, 2010 |Comments: 0 | Views: 120 |

It's probably true that most people outside the medical profession don't reallly understand, what the gallbladder is, what it does and why gallbladder health is important.

The gallbladder breaks up fats that come from the food you eat, making it easier for the rest of your digestive system to process them. The gallbladder uses a substance called bile, which it secretes, in order to do this. Bile is the only thing that breaks down fats that enter the digestive system and gets them ready for processing by the intestines. So it's easy to understand why bile is so important.

When you have a gallbladder problem, it is likely to be related to one of several relatively common conditions. These include:

  • a gallbladder attack, which occurs when the gallbladder becomes swollen or inflamed
  • an obstacle or block in the gallbladder or bile duct, like gallstones
  • gallbladder cancer.

Gallstones

Millions of people have gallstones. They're a very typical gallbladder problem, accounting for 800,000 hospitalizations in the United States every year. Half a million U.S. citizens have gallstone surgery annually.

There are two common types of gallstones.

Cholesterol Stones - Eating a lot of food that has a high cholesterol content will increase your risk of getting gallstones. Gallstones form because there's more cholesterol in the gallbladder than it can process. The cholesterol begins to accumulate and harden into formations that actually look like pebbles or gravel.

Stones that Form from Bilirubin (Pigment Stones) - These stones form from a substance known as bilirubin, which is stored in the gallbladder. These are usually small, dark stones which happen less often than the cholesterol kind..Some people have both types of stones simultaneously.

Gallbladder Attacks

It's possible for certain conditions to arise that cause the gallbladder to become swollen, irritated, ir inflamed. This can lead to a condition that's commonly known as a "gallbladder attack." When there's a build up of cholesterol in the gallbladder, it can become "overwhelmed." It cannot process the excess properly.

A gallbladder attack can cause pain in the upper abdomen and stomach areas. The pain may also occur in the shoulders or in the back between the shoulder blades.

Gallbladder Cancer

There are two main points where gallbladder cancer can be found. One is the actual gallbladder, and the other is the nearby duct where bile is stored.

Gallbladder cancer happens infrequently, but when it happens, it can be extremely serious. Left untreated, it can quickly spread to the liver and other organs.

Conclusion

Gallbladder health conditions like those mentioned above are more likely to happen as you get older. They are often the cause of stomach discomfort or upper abdominal pain.

If the problem is severe enough, the best option is gallbladder removal surgery. Once you have a gallbladder problem, you will probably have more later on. You can live without your gallbladder, so doctors often recommend removing it to avoid future problems.

When it's removed, the liver takes over its duties and you can easily survive without it.
 

Questions and Answers

Ask
200 Characters left
Rate this Article
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 0 vote(s)
    Feedback
    Print
    Re-Publish
    Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/gallbladder-problems-and-gallbladder-health-2789001.html

    Article Tags:

    gallbladder

    ,

    gallbladder health

    ,

    gallstones

    ,

    gallbladder attack

    ,

    gallbladder cancer

    Joe Barton

    Are you considering gallbladder surgery? Keep your gallbladder and avoid cancer by trying a natural remedy for gallstones with these 7 tips to dissolve and flush gallstones in 24 hours.

    By: Joe Bartonl Health> Alternative Medicinel Jan 21, 2008 lViews: 137

    Cholelithiasis also known is Gallbladder. Gallstones are concretions that form in the biliary tract, usually in the gallbladder. Gallstones are formed within the gallbladder, an organ that stores bile excreted from the liver.

    By: alice rosel Health> Diseases and Conditionsl Oct 20, 2010
    Joe Barton

    'My mouth dropped when I discovered I could cure gallstones with no surgery required, my customer wrote me. Most people don't know about this holistic treatment, I responded. Discover 5 gallstone remedies for free.

    By: Joe Bartonl Health> Alternative Medicinel Apr 09, 2008 lViews: 5,406

    If you have gallstones, you will avoid further pain if you have surgery. However if you have stones in the bile duct, it is very important that you have them treated, in order to prevent the development of severe complications.

    By: Gary Stonel Health> Medicinel Jun 09, 2011

    Being overweight and health problems go hand in hand. Ridding yourself of excess weight will greatly improve your health and well-being. It is not as difficult as it seems and normal high-profile diets may not always be the answer.

    By: Mary Jamesonl Health> Women's Healthl May 05, 2009 lViews: 211
    John Cielo

    A fast way to get gout relief is with baking soda which I've found it to be very effective. But now that I have gotten my uric acid levels under control I don't need to use this home remedy anymore.

    By: John Cielol Health> Diseases and Conditionsl Jun 04, 2012
    John Cielo

    Gout was once the 'disease of kings' due to their diet, but not any more. Anybody can have gout nowadays. Easy access to relatively cheap, mass-produced food and alcohol has meant that we are all at the mercy of gout through our diet.

    By: John Cielol Health> Diseases and Conditionsl Jun 03, 2012

    We need to keep our omega 6 foods at a minimum and include more omega 3 into our diets. Adding food items such as walnuts, chia seeds, to our salads is a simple and natural way to get our omega.

    By: Sandy Sachsl Health> Diseases and Conditionsl May 29, 2012

    Most children demonstrate some impulsive/hyperactive behavior or have difficulty remaining on-task. Although typically found in boys, in 3-7% percent of children the inattentive, hyperactive, and/or impulsive behavior is recognized by clinician as being a significant problem that is not typical of normal development.

    By: vladimirjigsl Health> Diseases and Conditionsl May 29, 2012

    Tomas, a 34 year of carpenter, went to see his girl friend of six months at the end of a hard day. Noticing a strange car in the driveway, he peered into her window with some curiosity. He saw her having sexual relations with another man. Enraged, Tomas went home and returned with his shotgun.

    By: vladimirjigsl Health> Diseases and Conditionsl May 29, 2012
    George McKenzie

    Kidney problems should never be taken lightly because a kidney problem can potentially be fatal when not treated. This article identifies the most common symptoms of kidney trouble

    By: George McKenziel Health> Diseases and Conditionsl Jul 24, 2010 lViews: 1,513
    George McKenzie

    A kidney infection is often a serious kidney problem that should get prompt medical attention. Treatment usually requires antibiotics and a hospital stay. If it isn't treated correctly, a kidney infection can result in serious damage to the kidneys or spread to your bloodstream and cause a life-threatening situation.

    By: George McKenziel Health> Diseases and Conditionsl Jul 21, 2010 lViews: 200
    George McKenzie

    Suffering broken ribs probably causes some of the most intense, even excruciating pain a human being can experience short of torture. This article shares information on the causes of broken ribs, the dangers they pose, and on treating the rib pain they trigger.

    By: George McKenziel Health> Diseases and Conditionsl Jul 21, 2010 lViews: 1,131
    George McKenzie

    Bladder related disorders cause millions to see their physician annually seeking relief from bladder pain caused by one of the bladder problems described in this article.

    By: George McKenziel Health> Diseases and Conditionsl Jul 21, 2010 lViews: 146
    George McKenzie

    This article is to give you tips on a sensible diet for people with kidney problems - whether you currently have a kidney problem, or hope to avoid having one in the future.

    By: George McKenziel Health> Diseases and Conditionsl Jul 15, 2010 lViews: 124

    Discuss this Article

    Author Box
    Articles Categories
    All Categories
    Quantcast