If you suffer from gallbladder disease, you’ll know how painful and uncomfortable it can be. Millions of people suffer from this digestive disorder worldwide. While in most cases the condition can be treated successfully, occasionally complications can arise. For example, can it cause your gallbladder to burst?
Here, you will discover more about gallbladder disease and the symptoms it creates. What is Gallbladder Disease?
Gallbladder disease is a term used to describe several conditions. These include:
- Gallstones
- Inflammation
- Tissue growth within the gallbladder
- Chronic Acalculous gallbladder disease
Located just underneath the liver, your gallbladder is used to concentrate and store bile. It is released to aid in digestion, helping to break down fat. Although this is undoubtedly an important function, you don’t actually need your gallbladder to survive.
Common symptoms to watch out for
There are some common symptoms of gallbladder disease to look out for. The most common one is biliary colic, causing intermittent pain. This is typically located within the upper part of the abdomen and can spread to the back.
If you have symptomatic gallstones, you may also develop inflammation within the gallbladder. This occurs due to a blockage. You will experience constant, severe pain within the upper abdomen which may last for a few days. You’ll find it more painful when you breathe in, and you may experience fever and chills.
With chronic gallbladder disease, you will have mild inflammation and gallstones. Common symptoms include nausea, gas, chronic diarrhoea, jaundice, and discomfort in the abdomen.
Can the gallbladder burst?
The gallbladder can burst due to trauma, infection, or severe inflammation. When it does, it is referred to as a gallbladder rupture. It causes symptoms such as sharp pain within the abdomen, vomiting, jaundice, and fever.
If you suspect your gallbladder has ruptured, you should seek medical help as soon as possible. Your doctor can carry out several tests to diagnose the rupture, including ultrasounds, a CT scan, and blood tests. If a rupture is diagnosed, your gallbladder will usually need to be removed.
What are your gallbladder disease treatment options?
To prevent a gallbladder rupture, it’s important to get gallbladder disease under control. There are several treatment options available including ERCP and simple lifestyle adjustments.
If your gallbladder disease isn’t causing any unpleasant side effects, you may just need to make different lifestyle choices. This includes avoiding fatty foods as fat is known to stimulate the release of bile from the gallbladder.
ERCP is short for Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography. It is used to remove gallstones from the bile duct. A small tube will be inserted down the throat, directly into the digestive tract.
The best way to combat chronic gallbladder disease is through the removal of the gallbladder. This can be done through a small incision made in the navel.
If you suspect you have gallbladder disease, book a consultation with Mr Woodward today to discuss your treatment options.
