DIAGNOSING & TREATING
GALLBLADDER ISSUES
IN A COMFORTABLE AND ACCESSIBLE ENVIRONMENT
Gallbladder Issues
Located just under the liver this small pouch like organ, the Gallbladder is used by the body to store bile produced by the liver. Symptoms of a bad gallbladder vary depending on the severity and type of condition. Patients that we see at Glengarry Gastroenterology normal present with symptoms including pain in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, upset stomach, heartburn, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, fever and diarrhea.
What are gallstones?
Gallstones are small, stone-like objects that form when the liquid in the gallbladder hardens. If gallstones get lodged in a duct, they can block the flow of bile. This can cause the duct or the gallbladder to swell. Ongoing blockage can damage the liver, the gallbladder or the pancreas.
This can result in abdominal pain (biliary colic) or inflammation (acute or chronic cholecystitis). Symptoms range from indigestion or “heartburn” to sharp upper abdominal pain either in the pit of the stomach or on the right side of the abdomen that radiates to the back, as well as nausea, vomiting and occasionally fever. However, not all patients with gallstones exhibit symptoms.
Gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) is necessary for some patients with gallstones, particularly those suffering symptoms. This surgery is best performed in an elective fashion to avoid life-threatening complications.
Diagnosis and treatment
At Glengarry Gastroenterology we can provide our patients with a range of proven diagnostics and treatment options beginning with an abdominal ultrasound.
Patients with gallbladder-type symptoms who don’t have stones may have chronic gallbladder inflammation (chronic acalculous cholecystitis); this is diagnosed with a special test called a HIDA scan — a nuclear medicine study that can help determine whether the gallbladder is functioning normally or not (biliary dyskinesia).