1.What is the gallbladder?



The gallbladder is a small organ which looks like a pear and it can be found under the liver, in the upper right side of the abdomen.

2.Why do we need a gallbladder?

The gallbladder is helpful in the process of digestion as it collects and concentrates the bile. The gallbladder is collecting the bile from the bowel and so it helps the liver in its work, because otherwise the liver will have to produce new batches and will eventually get exhausted.

3.How can the gallbladder get affected?

Problems with the gallbladder begin once inflammation of it and of the bile ducts occurs. Sometimes the gallbladder's wall will not contract any more or it will have too many muscular spasms. If stones are forming inside the gallbladder its function will also be affected by them. These stones can even give an obstruction and the bile will not flow freely as it used to do.

4.Of what is made the bile from?

The bile is made in the liver cells out of water, bile acids, cholesterol, bilirubin and phospholipids. It is used in keeping the levels of cholesterol under control and in the process of absorption of vitamins A, D E and K.

5.Are there some responsible factors for the gallbladder problems?

There are some incriminated factors in the process of gallbladder dysfunction. If the liver does not produce enough bile or it produces a toxic one, this can harm the gallbladder. Sometimes if there is too much cholesterol in the body the gallbladder will suffer because this cholesterol will form stones inside the gallbladder. A wrong diet consisting out of fatty foods and fried foods will only interact with the function of the gallbladder and will affect it. Even some drugs like oral contraceptive pills and some hormones can harm the gallbladder. Sometimes infections can affect the gallbladder leading to its contamination and malfunction.

6.How can I know if my gallbladder is not working properly?

There are symptoms of a malfunction of the gallbladder. If you have indigestion and you vomit after eating fatty foods, you can blame the gallbladder. Other symptoms are pains in the upper right side of the abdomen and in the back and right shoulder.

7.Why do gallstones form?

The gallstones appear due to a precipitation of the crystals. This is due to a malfunction of the liver who produces toxic or fatty bile.

8.Do the gallstones come with any symptoms?

If the gallstones stay in the gallbladder and do not move there will be no symptoms. As soon as the gallstones move and obstruct the neck of the gall bladder, pain in the upper right abdomen will appear. Most frequent jaundice will appear, due to the accumulated bile pigment.

9.How can I get rid of the gallstones?

The doctor can try to dissolve the stones, but this is made gradually on a period of several years with the help of medication. Also, keeping a diet low in fats will help your liver more than you think.

Sometimes if the gallstone gets stuck in the neck of the gall bladder or in the cystic duct, acute cholecystitis might appear, meaning that the gallbladder got inflamed and distended, creating a localized peritonitis. This kind of illness affects women most of all, aged from 20 to 40, but other persons can also get affected. Besides the pain which lasts more than 24 hours, fever will develop, along with nausea and vomiting. Treatment must be done or else the attack might occur after some time again.