Gall bladder diseases
Gallstones are deposits of certain components of bile in the gall bladder or bile ducts. In the majority of cases (approx. 90%) they are cholesterol stones.
Cholesterol is excreted with the bile, but if the concentration of cholesterol in the blood is too high, the bile acid can no longer bind it completely and cholesterol stones precipitate. Risk factors for gallstones include female sex, overweight and age over 40 years. Patients with gallstones can first try not to dissolve the stones surgically, for example with shock wave therapy or certain drugs.
If this is unsuccessful, the gallbladder can be removed surgically. If gallstones block the bile ducts, this usually leads to an inflammation of the gallbladder. It is usually the first symptom of gallstones, which previously remain asymptomatic.
In 95% of cases, gallstones are the cause of inflammation of the gallbladder, but there are also “stoneless” inflammations. Symptoms of an inflammation of the gall bladder are usually severe pain in the right upper abdomen, which can radiate into the shoulder, as well as nausea and vomiting. Jaundice can also develop. The treatment of a gall bladder inflammation usually consists of surgical removal of the gall bladder. You can find detailed information under inflammation of the gall bladder.
Other diseases of the liver and gall bladder
Information on other diseases of the liver and gallbladder can be found at
- Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBZ)
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)
- Hemangioma of the liver
- Porphyria
- Gall bladder cancer
- Bile duct cancer
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