Gallbladder Disease (2024)

FAQs

What are the 3 F's of gallbladder disease? ›

The traditional risk factors for gallstone disease are the four “F's: female, fat, forty, and fertile,” with many studies supporting the known risk factors for gallstone disease.

The condition can be life-threatening, particularly if the infection spreads to other parts of the body. Fistula. In some cases, the inflamed gallbladder adheres to and perforates nearby organs, such as the small intestine.

"Negative to remove my gallbladder" doesn't necessarily mean "normal". My daughter and I had HIDA scans that showed "sluggish" gallbladders, but NO stones or sludge, thus questionable for removal. We both had surgery due to the symptoms, and the pathology findings were chronic severe inflammation.

If gallstones lodge in a bile duct and cause a blockage, it eventually results in severe life-threatening complications such as bile duct inflammation and infection, pancreatitis or cholecystitis (an inflammation of gallbladder). In addition, if left untreated, it might increase risk of “gallbladder cancer”.

Symptoms of chronic gallbladder disease include complaints of gas, nausea and abdominal discomfort after meals and chronic diarrhea. Stones lodged in the common bile duct can cause symptoms that are similar to those produced by stones that lodge in the gallbladder, but they may also cause: Jaundice.

Yes, research shows people who drink a lot of soda and other sugar-sweetened drinks also tend to have more gallbladder problems, including gallbladder cancer. Cutting sweet drinks could reduce symptoms as well as lower your risk for these problems.

“Gallstones are fairly common in Western countries because our diets have more processed and fatty foods,” says David Efron, M.D., chief of acute care surgery at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. “Many of us are walking around with gallstones and don't know it.

Limit fats and oils, such as butter, margarine, mayonnaise, and salad dressing, to no more than 1 tablespoon (15 mL) a meal. Avoid high-fat foods, such as: Chocolate, whole milk, ice cream, processed cheese, and egg yolks. Fried, deep fried, or buttered foods.

If your gallstones aren't causing symptoms, you may live the rest of your life without any problems. If you do experience symptoms, your doctor may want to remove your gallbladder. You don't need your gallbladder to live. So when it's removed, you won't notice much difference.

Lighter-colored stool. Diarrhea. Dark or brown-colored urine. Jaundice, or yellow-ish skin or whites of eyes.

What mimics gallbladder disease? ›

Patients with disabling right upper quadrant pain, a normal abdominal ultrasound, and normal liver tests, amylase, and lipase might have gallbladder dysfunction or SOD.

Your doctor may recommend surgery if: You have repeated gallstone attacks. The pain from the attacks is severe. You have complications, such as inflammation of the gallbladder or the pancreas.

Gall bladder removal does not shorten your life expectancy. In fact, it may even increase it as your post-surgery habits make it necessary for you to make healthier dietary choices.

Gallbladder conditions often have similar symptoms, including pain on the mid and upper-right sides of your abdomen, gas and nausea, chills and low grade fever, persistent loose stools that are paler than usual, yellow tint in your skin or eyes, and dark urine. The pain may radiate to the back or right shoulder blade.

Abstract. Background: The time-honoured mnemonic of '5Fs' is a reminder to students that patients with upper abdominal pain and who conform to a profile of 'fair, fat, female, fertile and forty' are likely to have cholelithiasis.