Gallbladder pain
introduction
Gallbladder pain is a common symptom these days. The reason for this is the relatively high-fat diet and lack of exercise.
Gallbladder pain can be attributed to various causes, such as gallstones or gallbladder inflammation. The pain manifests itself in the form of tenderness or colic. The therapy of choice is usually the complete removal of the gallbladder (Cholecystectomy).
causes
Various gallbladder diseases can occur too Pain to lead. A common reason is one Disturbance of the drainage of the biliary tract and a resulting one Damming up of the bile.
The gallbladder then causes colicky pain because the drainage is disturbed. In other cases, the The build-up inflames the gallbladder and because of this too right upper abdominal pain to lead.
Gallstones
Gallstones are Crystallization productscaused by an unequal mixing ratio of
- Lecithin
- cholesterol and
- Bile salts are formed.
The imbalance is caused by poor diet high in fat, high cholesterol and little exercise. These are other risk factors
- female gender
- Nicotine abuse
- Obesity
- Age over 40 years
- Alcohol abuse
These stones form in the gallbladder and may be asymptomatic at first. About 2/3 of all people with gallstones never experience symptoms. However, if the gallstones are transported from the gallbladder into the bile ducts, they can clog the bile ducts.
The gallbladder tries to get the stones and bile through strong contractions to be transported further. These contractions cause severe pain in the right upper abdomen. Since the Contractions are undulating, it is usually about colicky pain.
The pain in the gallbladder is often increasing and can be in the too Radiate back or right shoulder.
Furthermore, the patients suffer from one
- Tension pain in the right upper abdomen
- nausea
- Vomit
- Jaundice (Jaundice)
- Increase in liver values
- Discoloration of urine and stool
The diagnosis is mainly carried out by means of Medical history and ultrasound (Sonography). Furthermore, a ERCP (Endoscopic retrostraight cholangiopancreatography) be performed. Here, the biliary tract present endoscopically and the stones like that remove directly.
In most cases, the Gallbladder removed completely (Cholecystectomy), since gallstone formation is very likely after a previous event. The patients are Immediately after removal of the stones symptom-free and are too without gallbladder not restricted in their quality of life.
Inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis)
A common complication of gallstones is one Inflammation of the gallbladder. Only in about 10% of the cases If the gallbladder inflammation occurs as part of a different cause. Usually one is created first aseptic inflammation, due to the Overcrowding of the gallbladder (Hydrops).
Over time you can Germs from the intestines in the gallbladder spread and a cause septic inflammation. In rare cases, the gallbladder infection occurs as a result of a long-term parenteral nutrition on.
The symptoms usually start with
- severe pain in the right lower abdomenwhich in the radiate right shoulder can.
- They are accompanied Pain from nausea, Vomit and Sweats.
- fever indicates a bacterial inflammation of the gallbladder down.
To Finding the diagnosis help both
- laboratory tests
- Ultrasonic
- clinical Murphy sign
The therapy consists in the gift of
- Antibiotics
- pain reliever and antispasmodic drugs (butylscopalamin)
- Operational: Cholecystectomy (Removal of the gallbladder)
3. Inflammation of the biliary tract (Cholangitis)
Inflammation of the bile ducts is usually the cause occluding structures how
- Tumors
- Gallstones
- Stenoses or
- Parasite infestation
The bile ducts can either acutely or chronically inflamed be. One through bacteria triggered acute biliary tract inflammation goes with a strong unilateral pain in the right upper abdomen, fever and one Jaundice (Jaundice) hand in hand.
Treatment consists in the antibiotic therapy to Elimination of germs and one endoscopic Exposure and widening of the biliary tract to restore the drain. Chronic inflammation of the biliary tract (primary biliary cirrhosis) arises on the basis of an autoimmunological genesis. However, there is no pain in the gallbladder. Symptoms are limited to J.irritation, jaundice and a Hypercholesterolemia.
Gallbladder pain after eating
Gallbladder pain may develop in various ways express. So it can happen that the gallbladder pain in particular after eating occur. The bile stored in the gallbladder is special important for the digestion of fats. After eating, this is through contraction from the gallbladder into the intestine. Hence, gallbladder pain after eating becomes particular fatty foods perceived. If this type of pain occurs, it is usually a disease of the gallbladder.
The cause of gallbladder pain after eating is in many cases Gallstones. These sit on Bladder exit or in draining bile duct and narrow it. The stone is so small that it no complaints at rest power. When the gallbladder contracts, e.g. after eating, however, the tightness becomes apparent and the muscles of the gallbladder press against an obstacle. This causes Painthat very strong and convulsive can impress. Other causes of gallbladder pain after eating are one irritation or Inflammation of the gallbladder. If the symptoms persist, you should always have the pain clarified after eating in order to eliminate the cause and avoid more serious secondary diseases
Gallbladder pain during pregnancy
In some cases during pregnancy, the gallbladder causes pain. Especially in the late weeks of pregnancywhen the unborn child reaches a certain size. Then through the Tightness in the abdomen Pressure is put on the gallbladder, often causing pain. Most often this type of pain location-dependent. Especially when lying down, pain occurs in the area of the right costal arch over the gallbladder, which improve when standing and walking.
Are gallbladder pain during pregnancy independent of the location or do other symptoms occur such as nausea or fever, further measures are appropriate. Gallstones develop more frequently during pregnancy. The pressure in the abdomen causes the bile to drain with special needswhat promotes stone development. Can also be a inflammation the gallbladder behind the pain. It is therefore always advisable to have gallbladder pain clarified. Especially when this convulsive occur, are accompanied by other symptoms, or if they persist for a long time. Gallbladder pain during pregnancy is usually not a direct threat to the unborn child.
Read more about the topic here: Abdominal pain in pregnancy
Concomitant symptoms
Besides the Pain An irritated gallbladder can cause other accompanying symptoms. These depend on the Art the underlying disease. In the case of mild irritation, accompanying symptoms such as a Pressure- or Bloating occur. You can go with Flatulence accompanied. In addition to the pain of the gallbladder, there is also increased Belching after eating. If there is a more serious illness, accompanying symptoms such as nausea and Vomit on. Even sudden ones Sweats can be signs of obstruction of the bile ducts or inflammation of the gallbladder.
Often times, pain in the gallbladder is from Convulsions accompanies that one Colic is called. It is severe pain that occurs in Intervals up and down. Are colic extremely painful and must treated quickly and be clarified, as they are an expression of the muscles of the gallbladder working against great resistance. Most of them are behind it Gallstones. Accompanying symptoms with complete occlusion of the draining bile ducts can be a Discoloration of the stool and a Deposition of bilirubin in the eyes and the rest of the skin be what one Jaundice (Jaundice) calls. This shows one Bile build-up on. When the gallbladder is inflamed fever and chills not uncommon as accompanying symptoms.
therapy
The question that arises for those affected by gallbladder pain is: What to do? It should not long with the Doctor visit be waited, as such pain should always be clarified before further action is taken. The treatment depends on Type and extent the disease. In simple cases he creates Avoid fatty foods, alcohol such as Weight loss Relief. However, the treatment often takes place in the hospital.
Read more about the topic here: Lose weight
First of all, the pain should be with Painkillers combats and eventual Colic be alleviated. Suitable for this are e.g. Novalgin® and Buscopan®. Treatment for inflammation of the gallbladder requires one antibiotic cover, whereupon the surgical removal the gallbladder. Treatment of Stones mostly includes theirs distance. However, symptomatic gallbladder stones require one surgical removal the gallbladder. They can possibly be removed endoscopically in the bile duct. In some cases it makes sense to smash the stones with external shock waves.
Summary
Gallbladder pain usually manifests itself through laterally restricted upper abdominal pain the right side. The pain can radiate to the right shoulder and back.
In some cases the pain is from Nausea and vomiting, jaundice, or sweating accompanied.
The pain can go through if it is precisely described chemical laboratory diagnostics and one Ultrasound of the abdomen can be explained relatively simply. This is mainly due to the relatively few causes of gallbladder pain.
In case of a Inflammation of the gallbladder or the bile ducts, the pain usually occurs acute and are accompanied by tenderness. If Gallstones symptomatic they usually call you colicky pain out which on Intensity increases.
The most common and most promising therapy for biliary pain is Removal of the gallbladder (Cholecystectomy). This can minimally invasive and does not affect the patient's quality of life.
In some cases, a ERCP to Expansion and distance carried out by stones or other causes. In the case of inflammation, the therapy is always through a antibiotic therapy added.
