Gallbladder Disease

What is Gallbladder Disease?

The gallbladder is the organ responsible for aiding digestion. It stores and releases bile from the liver, which is used to break down food. The bile is pushed through tubes called "bile ducts" to the small intestine, where the breakdown occurs.

Gallbladder disease is caused by infection or blockage, whether in the gallbladder itself or the bile ducts. It can affect other organs, too as it's connected to them by the bile ducts. The buildup results in a number of symptoms, such as pain in the upper right abdomen, nausea, vomiting, fast heart rate, jaundice, bloating, gas, and diarrhea.

Treatment at Schneck

It is vital for individuals experiencing pain, irregularities, or discomfort related to digestion to speak with their doctor. The providers at Schneck Gastroenterology will conduct a thorough evaluation of symptoms and administer tests before determining the next steps.

Once diagnosed with gallbladder disease, treatment can involve several different methods. First, patients will most likely receive antibiotics to treat the infection. Another way of treating the disease is to use Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography to provide temporary relief. This involves using instruments at the end of an endoscope to remove gallstones, take samples, and create openings in the bile ducts. However, the only way to fully treat gallbladder disease is surgery. In this case, individuals with the disease will have parts or all of their gallbladder removed.