Bile is a liquid that helps your body break down fat, absorb nutrients, remove toxic substances, and get rid of old or damaged cells. It is made by your liver and stored in your gallbladder. When you eat, small tubes called bile ducts carry bile from the liver and gallbladder to your small intestines.
A few conditions can cause bile duct diseases, also called biliary diseases, such as:
Not all bile duct disorders lead to symptoms, especially in the early stages of the disease. However, some may cause:
Lab tests may also show that your cholesterol levels are elevated or that your thyroid is producing low levels of hormones.
Bile duct diseases can have different causes. Primary biliary cholangitis is a condition that occurs when your immune system attacks healthy tissues (autoimmune disease). Your risk of developing this condition may be increased by gene changes as well as environmental factors such as infection, exposure to certain chemicals, or smoking cigarettes.
Cholangitis can also be triggered by other health problems, such as a blood clot or swollen pancreas.
Your risk of bile duct disease may be elevated if you:
Blood tests that measure the function of your liver can sometimes point to problems with the bile ducts or gallbladder. To confirm a condition, your doctor may want to use imaging tests such as an ultrasound, computed tomography (CT scan), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
The worse bile duct disease becomes, the more likely it is to cause additional problems, including liver damage, swollen blood vessels, high blood pressure in veins within your liver, or weakened bones. Additionally, bile duct disease leaves you more likely to develop conditions like liver cancer, thyroid disease, or rheumatoid arthritis.
If your bile duct condition was caused by an infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. Additional medication can also help lessen pain or improve the way bile flows through the ducts.
Blocked or clogged bile ducts can be drained with a procedure called endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). During this procedure, a doctor guides a thin tube with a camera into your mouth, down your throat, and through your digestive system to your bile ducts. Here, doctors can use tools or tubes to remove gallstones or drain extra fluid.
Surgery can also be used to widen your bile ducts to prevent future blockages.
Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a diet that contains a balance of different nutrients, and getting regular physical activity can reduce your risk of gallstones.
If you have frequent gallstones or bile duct problems, undergoing surgery to remove your gallbladder can help prevent future disease.