The term “gallbladder disease” is used for several types of conditions that can affect your gallbladder.

The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped sac located under your liver. The main function of your gallbladder is to store the bile produced by your liver and pass it through a duct that empties into the small intestine. Bile helps you digest fat in your small intestine.

What diseases do they therefore affect this organ? In other words, what are the diseases of the gallbladder?   

What are the diseases of the gallbladder?

Gallstones

Gallstones develop when substances in the bile (such as cholesterol, bile salts, and calcium) or substances in the blood (such as bilirubin) form hard particles that block the pathways to the gallbladder and the bile ducts.

Acute cholecystitis

Acute cholecystitis is usually caused by gallstones. But it can also be the result of tumors or various other diseases.

It can be manifested by pain in the upper right part or the upper middle part of the abdomen. The pain tends to appear right after a meal and ranges from sharp aches to dull aches that can radiate to the right shoulder. 

Chronic cholecystitis

The gallbladder can shrink and lose its ability to store and release bile. Abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting may occur. Surgery is often the necessary treatment for chronic cholecystitis.

 

Cholelithiasis

Gallstones can lodge in the neck of the gallbladder or in the bile ducts. When the gallbladder is blocked in this way, the bile cannot come out. This can lead to inflammation or distension of the gallbladder.

Clogged bile ducts also prevent bile from passing from the liver to the intestines. 

 

Gallbladder disease

Gallbladder disease is inflammation of the gallbladder that occurs without the presence of gallstones. Significant chronic illness or serious medical condition has been shown to trigger an episode.

Symptoms are similar to those of acute cholecystitis with gallstones.

 

Biliary dyskinesia

Biliary dyskinesia occurs when the gallbladder has less than normal function. This condition may be linked to continued inflammation of the gallbladder.

Symptoms can include upper abdominal pain after eating, nausea, bloating, and indigestion. Eating a fatty meal can trigger symptoms. There are usually no gallstones in the gallbladder with biliary dyskinesia.

 

Sclerosing cholangitis

Continued inflammation and damage to the bile duct system can lead to scarring. This condition is called sclerosing cholangitis. However, it is not known exactly what causes this disease.

Almost half of those affected do not have symptoms.

Currently, the only known cure is a liver transplant.

 

Gallbladder cancer

Gallbladder cancer is a relatively rare disease. There are different types of gallbladder cancer. They can be difficult to treat because they are often not diagnosed until late in the progression of the disease. Gallstones are a common risk factor for gallbladder cancer.

Gallbladder cancer can spread from the inner walls of the gallbladder to the outer layers, then to the liver, lymph nodes, and other organs. Symptoms of gallbladder cancer may be similar to those of acute cholecystitis, but there may also be no symptoms.

 

Gallbladder polyps

Gallbladder polyps are lesions or growths that occur inside the gallbladder. They are usually mild and have no symptoms. However, it is often recommended to have the gallbladder removed for polyps larger than one centimeter. 

 

Gangrene of the gallbladder

Gangrene can occur when the gallbladder develops insufficient blood flow. It is one of the most serious complications of acute cholecystitis. 

 

Gallbladder abscess

Gallbladder abscess occurs when the gallbladder is inflamed with pus. Pus is the buildup of white blood cells, dead tissue, and bacteria. Symptoms may include pain in the upper right part of the abdomen, as well as fever and chills.

This condition can occur in acute cholecystitis when a gallstone completely blocks the gallbladder, allowing it to fill with pus. It is more common in people with diabetes and heart disease.

 

Plus tôt les problèmes de vésicule biliaire sont reconnus et traités, moins il y a de chances que des complications importantes surviennent. Il est important de consulter un médecin si vous présentez des symptômes de ces maladies. 

 

Source: healthline.com