Your gall bladder plays an important part in the digestive process by storing a greenish fluid called bile. Unfortunately, the gall bladder can experience a number of issues, including inflammation, infections, structural changes, and stone formation. Fortunately, here at Hunterdon Digestive Specialists in Hillsborough and Flemington, NJ, your gastroenterologist, Dr. Anhuba Sinha, diagnoses and treats gall bladder disease for better digestive health and overall well-being.
What's the most common gall bladder disease?
It's chronic or acute inflammation, typically caused by a high-fat diet. However, at our offices in Hillsborough and Flemington, NJ, your gastroenterologist also sees many people with gall stones. These calcified deposits of bile and fat may block the bile duct which connects the gall bladder with the small intestine.
Additional gall bladder problems include:
- Cancer
- Calcification of the entire gall bladder (porcelain gall bladder)
- Abscess
- Perforation
Gall bladder issues may occur at any age; however, middle-aged women seem most prone as do individuals with severe weight problems or a family history of gall stones.
How do you know that you have a problem?
Many people with gall bladder disease have no symptoms at all. In other situations, those who are very ill can present:
- Abdominal pain
- Fever
- Chills
- Jaundice
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Darkly-colored urine
- Diarrhea
- Gas
- Abdominal distention
When symptoms persist, make an appointment with your gastroenterologist, Dr. Sinha, who may order:
- Blood tests
- Ultrasound examination
- A CT scan or MRI
Treatment of gall bladder disease
For most people, gall bladder disease can be treated with a low-carb, low-fat diet to prevent stone formation and reduce inflammation. MedicalNewsToday reports that most problems are relatively easy to manage.
However, some patients require gall bladder removal. While some people require the traditional, large-incision procedure, most do well with a laparoscopy. This short procedure introduces a lighted tube through a small incision into the upper abdomen. Through this hole, the doctor can take out the gall bladder quickly and easily, with the patient going home the very day of surgery.
Don't ignore your symptoms
Your best GI health concerns Dr. Anhuba Sinha and her team at Hunterdon Digestive Specialists. If you suspect problems with your gall bladder, call us for an evaluation. We offer office hours Monday through Saturday and have two locations to serve you: Hillsborough and Flemington, NJ. Call us for an appointment: (908) 788-8200.