The gallbladder is a sac that stores the bile produced in the liver. The bile is important for the metabolizing of fats and is delivered into the upper small intestine through a tube known as the common bile duct. Some of the diseases of the gallbladder include gallstones, cholestasis, cholecystitis and gallbladder cancer.
Gallstones
The gallstones are normally made of the excess cholesterol that develops in the gallbladder. This is a very common condition and most of the cases don’t present any symptoms. However, when the gallstone blocks the duct, affected individual can experience intense abdominal pain for a period as long as five hours. Additional symptoms can include itchy skin, diarrhea, loss of appetite, rapid heartbeat, jaundice and fever. In most of the cases, the treatment of the gallstones is not necessary. However, when complications and symptoms develop, treatment is required. In such cases, a surgery to remove the gallbladder may be necessary for a procedure known as laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Cholestasis
This is the condition that develops when the bile from the liver is blocked or reduced. This can be the result of various causes such as the cysts, narrowing of the bile ducts and the bile ducts tumors. Some of the symptoms of cholestasis include jaundice, dark urine, itchiness and light colored stools. Due to the lack of bile, the affected individuals are at the risk of developing the deficiency of essential nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D which may not be properly absorbed by the body. Additional symptoms can occur depending on the cause of cholestasis such as fever, vomiting, loss of appetite and abdominal pain. The treatment is based on the cause of cholestasis such as bile duct blockage which may require surgery.
Cholecystitis
This is the inflammation of the gallbladder and most of the cases develop as the result of blockage of the duct leading out of the gallbladder. As the bile accumulates, it can result in the inflammation. It can also develop as the result of other causes such as the tumor that can create a blockage of the bile duct and the accumulation of it in the gallbladder. Some of the symptoms of cholecystitis include fever, tenderness of the abdomen, severe pain of the abdomen, vomiting and nausea. The treatment for this condition can include fasting to reduce the stress off the inflamed gallbladder, pain medications, antibiotics for any gallbladder infection and or a surgery to remove the gallbladder.
Gallbladder cancer
This rare type of cancer presents no specific symptoms or signs among the affected individuals. If it can be detected in its early stage, the prognosis appears to be good. However, later in the stage, some of the signs and symptoms include jaundice, abdominal bloating, fever, weight loss, itchiness, abdominal pain and nausea. The treatment for this type of cancer is based on the stage of cancer and the health of the individual. In most of the cases, the surgery to remove the gallbladder is recommended when cancer is confined within the organ. However, when it has spread, treatment options include radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
References
https://medlineplus.gov/gallbladderdiseases.html
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gallstones/Pages/Introduction.aspx
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000215.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gallbladder-cancer/basics/treatment/con-20023909
