#gallbadder

if anyone can help pay for my surgery visit?! Because there's going to be more than just taking my gallbladder out?!?!?!?  The first visit can cost between $120-434 

Got x-rays of my gallbladder and lots of meds. Next stop is and ultrasound of my gallbladder tomorrow at one! then its off to the cardiologist and then my nutritionist.. busy busy day.

There are a few diseases that can cause the gallbladder to work sluggishly or even stop all together. The most commonly known cause of gallbladder pain is gallstones, which can cause varying degrees of problems and discomfort. In addition to cholelithiasis (gallstones) there are other diseases of the gallbladder, which can cause digestion problems and pain.

The symptoms of this disease can be similar to other illnesses that are less serious. A healthcare professional will be able to determine the cause of the symptoms and prescribe the correct treatment.

Untreated gallbladder disease can lead to serious and life-threatening health problems so it isn’t wise to ignore symptoms.

Different Diseases of the Gallbladder

Most people have heard of gallstones and the pain they can cause. Gallstones can vary in size and if big enough, may interfere with bile storage and distribution without symptoms or they can block ducts and cause serious health problems. Other diseases of the gallbladder aren’t as well known because these early signs of gallbladder problems are often ignored or misdiagnosed. Other diseases of this little pear shaped organ include the following:

Cancerous and non-cancerous tumors

Inflammation (cholecystitis¬)

Chronic cholecystitis (billary colic)

Acute cholecystitis

Chronic acalculous (dysfunctional movements in organ)

Infection (gangrene, abscess)

Polyps

Congenital (present at birth) defects

Sclerosing cholangitis (scaring or damage to ducts)

Blockage of the ducts that lead out of the gallbladder can prevent fats from being digested properly. It can also cause bile to leak out and cause jaundice. When the bile cannot be released it can cause intense pain, which is often referred to as a gallbladder attack.

Symptoms of Gallstones and Other Gallbladder Problems

Digestive problems aren't usually enough to cause someone to make a doctors appointment to get an exam, but the pain that gallbladder disease can cause, can send someone heading to urgent care. The pain will usually be located under the right rib cage and be very intense. The pain can radiate into the back and shoulders. It can be an intense pain that will come and go in response to gallstone movement or bile production. Other symptoms of biliary disease includes the following:

Belching

Pain

Nausea

Queasiness

Gas

Constipation

Diarrhea

Fever

Headache on right side

Bloating

Cancer

Tumors

Symptoms and pain may last only 15 minutes or extend to most of the day. Often symptoms occur more frequently and intensely after a meal that includes fats or grease. Deep inhalation can cause the pain to increase.

Stools can appear chalky and my have a light color. They can be fatty due to the inability of the body to use bile to liquefy the fat. When gallbladder disease symptoms become severe the cause will need to be treated.

Treating the Cause of Digestion Problems and Pain From Biliary Disease

The most successful treatment for gallstones is a cholecystectomy, which is removal of the gallbladder. Ideally, gallstones should be prevented with a good diet. Other treatment that is available for gallbladder disease includes oral medication, surgery, sphincterotomy with gallstone extraction, and extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy.