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Gallbladder ailments are conditions that affect the gallbladder, a small organ that stores and releases bile, a fluid that helps digest fats. Some of the common gallbladder ailments are:

• Gallstones: These are hard deposits of cholesterol, bile salts, or bilirubin that can form in the gallbladder or the bile ducts. They can cause pain, inflammation, infection, or blockage of the bile flow. Gallstones are more common in women, older people, obese people, and people with a family history of gallstones1.

• Cholecystitis: This is inflammation of the gallbladder, usually caused by gallstones blocking the cystic duct, the tube that connects the gallbladder to the bile duct. Cholecystitis can be acute (sudden and severe) or chronic (long-lasting and recurrent). It can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, and jaundice2.

• Porcelain gallbladder: This is a rare condition where the gallbladder wall becomes calcified and rigid. It may be a result of chronic cholecystitis or other factors. Porcelain gallbladder increases the risk of gallbladder cancer1.

• Gallbladder cancer: This is a rare type of cancer that starts in the cells of the gallbladder. It may not cause any symptoms until it spreads to other organs. Risk factors include gallstones, porcelain gallbladder, chronic infection, and family history1.

• Gallbladder polyps: These are growths that protrude from the inner wall of the gallbladder. They are usually benign (noncancerous), but some may become malignant (cancerous) over time. They may not cause any symptoms unless they are large or block the bile flow1.

• Biliary dyskinesia: This is a disorder of the gallbladder or the sphincter of Oddi, a muscle that controls the flow of bile from the gallbladder and pancreas into the small intestine. It causes pain and digestive problems due to abnormal contractions or relaxation of these organs1.

The diagnosis of gallbladder ailments may involve blood tests, urine tests, imaging tests (such as ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, or HIDA scan), and endoscopic tests (such as ERCP or EUS). The treatment depends on the type and severity of the condition. Some common treatments are:

• Medication: This may include pain relievers, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, or drugs that dissolve or prevent gallstones1.

• Surgery: This may involve removing the gallbladder (cholecystectomy), removing the gallstones (choledocholithotomy), or creating a new pathway for bile flow (choledochojejunostomy)1. Surgery is frequently done laparoscopically (through small incisions) or robotically (with the help of a robotic arm)2.

• Lithotripsy: This is a non-invasive procedure that uses shock waves to break up gallstones into smaller pieces that can pass through the bile ducts1.

• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): This is a procedure that uses an endoscope (a thin tube with a camera and light) to examine and treat problems in the bile ducts and pancreas. This procedure is for gallstones removal, insert stents, or perform biopsies1.

• Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS): This is a procedure that uses an endoscope with an ultrasound probe to create images of the gallbladder and surrounding organs. It can be used to diagnose or treat gallbladder ailments such as polyps or cancer1.

The prevention of gallbladder ailments may involve lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet low in fat and cholesterol, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, drinking plenty of water, avoiding alcohol and tobacco, and managing stress1. Some people may also benefit from taking supplements such as vitamin C, lecithin, milk thistle, or turmeric3.

I hope this information helps you understand more about gallbladder ailments. If you have further questions or concerns about your health, please consult your doctor.