The gallbladder is a tiny pear-shaped organ that sits just under the liver. Its primary function is to store and release bile, a fluid manufactured by the liver. Bile helps to break down fats into fatty acids during the process of digestion. Bile mainly consists of cholesterol, bilirubin which is a product of broken-down red blood cells, bile salts, and water.
The gallbladder is connected to the digestive system by bile ducts. These ducts allow the bile to travel to where it is needed in the small intestine during digestion. However, sometimes problems can occur in the gallbladder and in the bile ducts as well.
The most common problem with the gallbladder is gallstones, and when these develop, symptoms can be mild or severe. Sometimes even medical intervention may be required depending on the size and number of gallstones present.
Gallstones are hardened concentrated bile materials such as salts, cholesterol, and bilirubin. They are often pebble-shaped and develop to various sizes. Some can be the size of sand grains or the size of a table tennis ball. The larger the gallstone, the more likely that symptoms will occur.
Symptoms usually develop due to gallstones blocking bile ducts. Whether the flow of bile is blocked entering or exiting the gallbladder, the result is the build-up of bile where it is not needed. The gallstone itself can cause intense pain, and the build-up of bile around organs can cause inflammation. Bile build-up can also increase the pressure in the abdomen.
Pain is usually felt under the ribs on the right side of the abdomen, and this is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Loss of appetite, fever, diarrhoea, and jaundice are other possible symptoms of gallstones.
It is thought that gallstones are caused by unusually high levels of cholesterol inside the gallbladder. This could be caused by an imbalance in the chemical composition of the bile being produced. Most gallstones are made from hardened cholesterol, whilst bilirubin imbalances can also cause the formation of crystals in bile, which again increases the chances of gallstone formation.
Gallstones are most common in females over the age of 40, those who are overweight, and those who have a family history of gallstone sufferers.
Since most gallstones are made of cholesterol and cholesterol levels increase in the body with high saturated fat intake, it can be a good starting point for preventing gallstones by decreasing the saturated fat intake in the diet.
This means that snacks such as cakes, biscuits, chocolates, and convenience food should be limited, and red meat should be replaced with poultry and fish.
Healthy fats such as omega-3 fatty acids that come from oily fish, flaxseed, and pumpkin seeds can help lower the bad fats in the blood. Monounsaturated fats found in olive oil, walnuts, peanuts, and cashews can also help lower the risk of developing gallstones.
Too much alcohol consumption can affect the health of the liver, and this can lead to various health problems, including gallstone formation. However, a little alcohol consumption on a regular basis is thought to offer some protection against the formation of gallstones.
Being obese can increase the chances of developing gallstones. Those who are obese often have high blood cholesterol levels, which is a major gallstone development risk factor. However, a rapid weight loss diet is not recommended as this can have a negative effect on the chemistry of bile and also increase the chances of gallstone formation.
If gallstones reoccur or create pain, vomiting, and other symptoms, then surgery to remove the entire gallbladder may be recommended and is the most effective way of getting rid of gallstones.
This is a minor surgical procedure using keyhole surgery, and since the gallbladder is not vital, those who have it removed can live a normal life but may want to avoid spicy and fatty foods in case they cause bloating or diarrhoea. If any gallstones are found in the bile duct, they can also be removed during gallbladder surgery.