What is the gallbladder’s function? The gallbladder stores bile, which aids in digestion. When you eat a meal, it releases bile into the small intestine to help break down food. If you have an unhealthy diet or lifestyle habits, your body might produce too much cholesterol and triglycerides. This can lead to the formation of stones in your gallbladder, known as gallstones. These stones either block the release or reabsorption of bile and cause pain.
What is the Gallbladder?
The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ that sits just below the liver. Its primary function is to store and concentrate bile, which is produced by the liver. Bile helps the body digest fats.
When you eat, the gallbladder releases bile through a duct into the small intestine, where it helps to break down fats. The gallbladder is not essential for life, and many people have their gallbladders removed without any problems.
There are a few things you can do to keep your gallbladder healthy. First, eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Avoid fatty and greasy foods as well as sugary drinks and foods. Also, try to maintain a healthy weight. Obesity is a risk factor for gallstones, which are hardened deposits of bile that can form in the gallbladder and cause pain. If you are overweight, talk to your doctor about ways to lose weight safely.
Finally, exercise regularly. Exercise can help reduce your risk of developing gallstones as well as help you lose weight if you are overweight. Talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program if you have any health concerns. For more information, see our full report on Diet and Nutrition .
Sleep disorders Sleep disturbances, including insomnia and sleep apnea, have been linked to gallbladder attacks. If you are having trouble sleeping or notice that your breathing seems shallow at night, see your doctor.
Stress Stress can lead to many health problems. Chronic stress may cause damage that makes bladders more susceptible to irritation and attacks. Try relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises. Life events may trigger an attack of gallbladder disease if you already have a history of its development. Manage stress by exercising regularly and eating well-balanced meals each day. For more information about dealing with stress, read our article Stress Management for Health & Wellness.
Types of Gallstones
There are two types of gallstones: cholesterol stones and pigment stones. Cholesterol stones are made mostly of cholesterol, while pigment stones are made up of bilirubin. About 80% of gallstones are cholesterol stones.
Cholesterol stones form when there is too much cholesterol in the bile. This can happen if the liver makes too much cholesterol or if the gallbladder doesn’t empty properly. Pigment stones form when there is too much bilirubin in the bile. Bilirubin is a product of the breakdown of red blood cells. This can happen if the liver isn’t able to process bilirubin properly or if there is an increased amount of red blood cells being broken down. Stones can also form if there is an infection in the biliary system.
Symptoms of gallstones include abdominal pain, bloating, and nausea. The pain is usually felt in the upper right abdomen and can radiate to the back or shoulder blade. The pain may be worse after eating a fatty meal. Gallstones can also cause inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis) which can lead to fever, jaundice, and abdominal pain that is more severe and lasts longer than usual. Gallstones can cause inflammation in the bile ducts and can lead to jaundice, nausea, and vomiting.
Possible complications of gallstones include infection. The bile may contain bacteria that can travel through the body and cause sepsis or an infection of the blood. Surgery is usually needed to remove a gallstone that is blocking the bile duct. If not treated quickly enough, a stone can be fatal if it travels into one of the main arteries in the liver (hepatic artery), stomach (gastric artery), or intestines (splenic artery).
Factors that increase your risk of having Gallstones
There are a number of different factors that can increase your risk of developing gallstones. Some of these include:
- Obesity: This is one of the most significant risk factors for gallstones. Those who are obese are more likely to develop gallstones than those who are at a healthy weight.
- Age: The risk of gallstones increases with age. This is likely due to changes in hormone levels and other factors that occur as we age.
- Family history: If you have a family member who has had gallstones, you are more likely to develop them yourself.
- Gender: Women are more likely to develop gallstones than men, especially during their childbearing years.
- Ethnicity: Native Americans and Mexicans have a higher risk of developing gallstones than other groups.
Treatments for Gallstone Disease
Gallstone disease is a condition that affects the gallbladder, a small organ located under the liver. The gallbladder stores bile, a fluid produced by the liver to help digest fat.
Gallstones are hard deposits that form in the gallbladder and can cause pain, inflammation, and other problems.
There are two main types of treatment for gallstone disease: medical and surgical.
Medical treatment involves using medications to dissolve the stones or to help relieve symptoms.
Surgical treatment involves removing the gallbladder through an operation called cholecystectomy.
How to keep your gallbladder healthy
Your gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ that sits just below your liver. It stores bile, a digestive fluid that helps you break down fats.
You may not think about your gallbladder much, but it’s an important part of your digestive system. If it becomes diseased or damaged, it can cause serious problems.
Fortunately, there are things you can do to keep your gallbladder healthy. Here are some tips:
- Eat a healthy diet. A diet that is high in fat and cholesterol can increase your risk of gallstones, which are hard deposits that can form in the gallbladder. To help prevent this, eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, limit your intake of saturated fats and cholesterol.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing gallstones and other problems with the gallbladder. Losing weight can help reduce this risk.
- Exercise regularly. Exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight and improve your overall health. It may also help reduce the risk of gallstones.
- Avoid crash diets and fad diets. These types of diets can cause rapid weight loss. This can lead to gallstones. Also, these diets usually aren’t sustainable in the long term.
- Don’t abuse alcohol or overuse prescription medications and other drugs.
- Quit smoking.
- Avoid exposure to pesticides and other chemicals that may irritate your gallbladder or liver
- Take steps to clear the ducts (tubes) that carry bile from your liver to your intestines and gallbladder. You can take a number of steps to keep your bile flowing freely and possibly prevent gallstones from forming.
