Gallbladder Disease

While perhaps not the most well-known health issue, gallbladder disease shouldn't be ignored. It often causes sudden, intense pain and frequently requires treatment in the hospital. Some people may need surgery.

 At his private practice in Santa Monica, California, general surgeon and surgical oncologist  Dr. Trevan Fischer performs minimally invasive surgery for a variety of issues, including gallbladder disease. Here’s what he wants you to know about diseases affecting the gallbladder.

What is gallbladder disease?

Located under the liver, your gallbladder contains bile that it releases into the small intestine to help your body break down fat and eliminate waste. Multiple issues can affect this organ and cause health problems, including:

Gallstones

Gallstones are the most common type of gallbladder disease, affecting about 20 million people in the United States. It occurs when small stones of cholesterol and solidified bile become stuck in an opening or duct in the gallbladder. 

Symptoms often include sudden pain just under the right ribs between the rib cage and belly button. Nausea, vomiting, fever, yellowish skin and whites of the eyes, dark-colored urine, heavy sweating, and itchy skin are other signs of possible gallstones.

Cholecystitis

Cholecystitis occurs when the gallbladder swells due to a more severe blockage inside a bile duct. Acute cholecystitis typically involves sudden intense pain for 6-12 hours, nausea, vomiting, fever, yellowing of the skin, or abdominal swelling. 

Chronic cholecystitis is usually caused by long-term inflammation of the gallbladder from it not draining properly. Sudden inflammation and pain in the upper body are possible signs, though pain isn’t as bad as in cases of acute cholecystitis.

Other types of gallbladder disease 

There are other less common gallbladder ailments as well, including choledocholithiasis, biliary dyskinesia, gallbladder polyps, and gallbladder cancer. 

An enlarged gallbladder may also indicate pancreatic cancer, so it’s important to get checked out as soon as you experience any symptoms of gallbladder disease.

Diagnosing gallbladder disease

Visiting your primary care provider for a proper diagnosis is important in order to prevent potentially serious complications of gallbladder disease. They conduct a physical exam and order an ultrasound that can detect gallstones, fluid around the organ, and thickening of the gallbladder's walls. 

If the diagnosis is still uncertain, blood tests and additional imaging tests may be performed.

Treatment for gallbladder disease

People experiencing gallbladder inflammation for the first time are often given pain medications. However, if you have multiple inflammatory episodes surgery may be the best option for treatment.

Minimally invasive surgery can be performed in many cases. We use specialized tools and advanced video equipment to make several small incisions instead of a large one. This has a number of benefits, including less blood loss and scarring, a faster healing time, and decreased chance of infection.

If you've been diagnosed with gallbladder disease and are looking for surgical treatment options, call our office or click to book an appointment online today to determine if minimally invasive surgery is right for you.