
The human body has many parts that work together. Some parts are big, like the heart or lungs. Others are small but still very important. The gallbladder is one of these smaller organs. Many people don’t think about it until something goes wrong. Gallstones can cause serious problems, but you can take steps to avoid them.
This article explains what the gallbladder does, how gallstones form, and what you can do to stay healthy. You will also learn what doctors do when gallstones cause pain.
The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ. It sits just below your liver on the right side of your body. It holds a fluid called bile. Your liver makes bile all the time. The gallbladder stores this bile and releases it when you eat food that has fat.
Bile helps break down fats in the small intestine. Without bile, your body cannot digest fats properly. When you eat a meal, your gallbladder squeezes bile into the small intestine. The bile mixes with food and helps your body absorb nutrients.
The gallbladder is not very big. It’s about the size of a small egg. Even though it’s small, it plays a big role in your digestion.
When you eat, your stomach starts to break down the food. At the same time, your brain sends a signal to the gallbladder. That signal tells the gallbladder to contract, or squeeze. When the gallbladder contracts, it pushes bile into a small tube called the bile duct. This duct connects the gallbladder to the small intestine.
The bile travels through the duct and enters the small intestine. Once it gets there, it breaks down the fat in your food. This makes it easier for your body to absorb vitamins and nutrients.
After the gallbladder releases bile, it relaxes and waits for the next meal. The liver keeps making bile, and the gallbladder stores it until the body needs it again.
Gallstones are small, hard objects that form in the gallbladder. They can be as tiny as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball. Some people may have just one gallstone. Others may have many.
Gallstones form when the bile has too much cholesterol or waste. Instead of staying liquid, the extra material turns into crystals. Over time, these crystals stick together and form stones.
Gallstones can block the bile duct. When that happens, bile cannot leave the gallbladder. Pressure builds up, and this causes pain. Doctors call this a gallbladder attack.
Several things can lead to gallstones. One big reason is too much cholesterol in the bile. Your liver uses cholesterol to make bile. If the liver makes too much cholesterol, it can form stones.
Other causes include:
Women are also more likely than men to get gallstones. This may happen because female hormones affect how the gallbladder works.
Many people have gallstones and never feel them. These are called “silent” gallstones. They do not block anything or cause pain. But when a stone gets stuck, the symptoms can be hard to ignore.
Common signs of a gallbladder attack include:
These attacks often happen after eating fatty foods. The pain may last from 30 minutes to several hours. After the attack ends, the person may feel tired or sore.
Doctors use several tools to find gallstones. The most common test is an ultrasound. This test uses sound waves to make pictures of the inside of the body. It’s safe and does not hurt.
If the ultrasound does not show enough detail, doctors may use a CT scan or MRI. These tests give a clearer view of the gallbladder and bile ducts.
Sometimes, doctors may also order blood tests. These tests look for signs of infection or problems with the liver.
Not everyone with gallstones needs treatment. If the stones do not cause pain, doctors may choose to wait. But if you feel symptoms, treatment may help.
If gallstones have not caused problems yet, your doctor may suggest some changes:
These steps can keep new gallstones from forming.
In some cases, doctors use medicine to dissolve gallstones. This only works for small stones. The treatment may take months or even years. Also, the stones can come back after you stop taking the medicine.
When gallstones cause pain or infection, doctors may remove the gallbladder. This surgery is called a cholecystectomy. Most doctors use a method called laparoscopic surgery. It uses small cuts and a tiny camera. This helps the doctor remove the gallbladder with less pain and a faster recovery.
After surgery, you can live a normal life. The liver still makes bile. Instead of going to the gallbladder, the bile goes straight into the small intestine.
After gallbladder surgery, some people may notice changes in digestion. This can include:
These problems usually go away after a few weeks. Most people feel better once they heal from surgery.
To help your body adjust, you should:
Your doctor can also give you tips for recovery.
Yes, you can take steps to lower your risk. Here are some easy ways to protect your gallbladder:
Try not to skip meals. When you skip meals, the bile stays in the gallbladder longer. This gives it time to form stones.
If you need to lose weight, do it slowly. Losing more than two pounds a week can increase your risk of gallstones.
Anyone can get gallstones, but some people have a higher risk. These include:
Doctors call these the “Five F’s” of gallstone risk: female, forty, fat, fertile, and fair. This is just a memory trick and not a rule. Many people outside these groups can get gallstones too.
If gallstones block the bile duct for too long, serious problems can occur. These include:
It’s important to talk to a doctor if you feel pain in your belly after eating. Getting help early can prevent bigger problems later.
The gallbladder plays a key role in helping your body digest fat. Even though it’s small, it makes a big difference in how you feel after eating. Gallstones can cause serious pain, but you can often avoid them with good habits. Eat healthy food, stay active, and keep your weight in a normal range.
If gallstones do form, your doctor has several ways to help. Medicine, lifestyle changes, or surgery can all provide relief. Don’t wait for the pain to get worse. Pay attention to your body, and take care of your health now. That way, your gallbladder can keep doing its job without trouble.