Over 20 million Americans have gallbladder disease and about one
million new cases of gallbladder disease are diagnosed annually. The
symptoms of gallbladder disease can mimic those of other conditions,
including heart attack, making an accurate diagnosis extremely
important. If you have been diagnosed with gallbladder disease or
gallstones, or if you are wondering whether you may have them,
here's what you should know.
What Are Gallstones?
Gallbladder disease is typically characterized by the presence of
gallstones, which form bile stored in the gallbladder hardens. Bile
is a liquid that helps the body digest fats. When gallstones form,
they can block the normal flow of bile from the liver to the small
intestine. Undiagnosed gallstones can cause serious problems if they
become trapped in the bile duct.
Gallstones cause more than 800,000 hospitalizations every year in
the United States. Gallstone attacks frequently occur after eating
meals high in fat content.
Symptoms
The symptoms of gallstones include:
Steady, severe pain in the upper abdomen that increases rapidly and
lasts from 30 minutes to several hours
Pain in the back between the shoulder blades
Pain under the right shoulder
Nausea and/or vomiting
Abdominal bloating
Recurring intolerance of fatty foods
Colic
Belching
Gas
Indigestion
Many of these symptoms occur because your body has trouble digesting
fats without the help of bile.
If the bile has formed gallstones and gallstones become trapped in
the bile ducts, symptoms that mimic indigestion may occur. The pain
that occurs in the arm area may also mimic that of a heart attack.
Acalculous Gallbladder Disease
Gallbladder disease can also happen without the presence of
gallstones.
In acalculous gallbladder disease, people have symptoms of
gallstones, but without there actually being stones in the
gallbladder or biliary tract. Acute acalculous gallbladder disease
is caused by inflammation in the gallbladder and usually occurs in
people who are very ill with other disorders. Chronic acalculous
gallbladder disease, which is also known as biliary dyskinesia, is
caused by muscle defects or other problems in the gallbladder that
inhibit its natural contractions.
Treatment
The most common treatment for gallbladder disease is laparoscopic
surgery, a minimally invasive surgery that can remove gallstones or
the gallbladder. There are also a few other alternative treatments
for gallbladder disease, including contact solvent dissolution and
mechanical extraction.
Seek medical help right away if you are experiencing any of the
symptoms of gallbladder disease. As mentioned, the symptoms can
mimic a heart attack. However, do not assume you are not having a
heart attack. Your doctor can give you an accurate diagnosis and
rule out heart issues.
