Did you know these things about your gallbladder? Let's talk!

Today we are going to talk about a small but very important organ in our body. That is the gallbladder. Maybe you have heard about it, or this may be something new. However, it is very important to know how much this small organ helps our body and what happens when it has problems.

Where is this gallbladder?

Okay, now let's see where this gallbladder is located in the body. It's in your stomach, on the right side of your abdomen, in the upper part. To be precise, this small, pear-shaped gallbladder is located right under your liver. Although it's small, it does a lot of work.

What actually happens in the gallbladder? What is its function?

Simply put, the gallbladder is part of our digestive system . Its main function is to store bile. Although the word 'bile' may scare some people, it is an essential part of our body. This bile is produced by the liver. But it is this gallbladder that collects the bile and releases it when needed to digest food.

This bile helps a lot in digesting the fatty foods we eat, especially. This solution called bile is mainly made up of cholesterol , bilirubin, and bile salts .

How does the gallbladder help other organs?

The gallbladder doesn't work alone. It's connected to the rest of our digestive system through a system of bile ducts called the Biliary Tract . This is like a small tube system. This system of ducts carries bile produced in the liver, stores it in the gallbladder, and then takes it out when needed and delivers it to our small intestine .

What exactly is the role of the gallbladder in digestion?

Think about it, before you start eating, your gallbladder is full of bile. It's like a balloon filled with water. When you start eating, the gallbladder gets a signal saying, "Okay, let's get to work." Then the gallbladder contracts , and it releases the bile it's been storing into the bile ducts.

This bile then flows into our largest bile duct , the Common Bile Duct . From there, the bile enters the Duodenum, the first part of our small intestine. There, the bile mixes with the food that is ready to be digested, especially helping to dissolve fats.

When you finish eating, the gallbladder empties. It's like a balloon that's deflated. It stays there until the bile starts to collect again. Do you understand how it works?

What are the common problems that can occur in the gallbladder?

When everything is going well, there is no problem. But sometimes, various problems can arise in this gallbladder. Let's see what they are.

The most common of these is the formation of gallstones . Although these are usually harmless, they can sometimes cause various medical conditions. Here are some of the conditions that can develop in the gallbladder:

• Gallstones : These are like small pebbles. They are made up of material in the gallbladder. They can form in the gallbladder or bile ducts. They can range in size from a grain of sand to a golf ball. Most of the time, they are harmless. But in some people, they can cause pain, nausea, or inflammation of the gallbladder .
• Cholecystitis : This is an inflammation or swelling of the gallbladder. This condition often occurs when a gallstone blocks the bile duct. Cholecystitis can cause fever and severe pain . Surgery is often required for this.
• Gallstone Pancreatitis : This is when the pancreas becomes inflamed. This happens when a gallstone travels down the common bile duct and blocks the pancreatic duct. This blockage occurs at a common point before the two ducts join the small intestine.
• Gallbladder Cancer : This is a very rare condition. You may feel pain in the upper right side of your abdomen. However, it is much more likely that this type of pain is caused by another cause.

How do you recognize a gallbladder problem? What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of gallbladder problems can vary from person to person. Some people don't feel anything or even know they have gallstones. However, if these stones become lodged in the bile ducts, they can affect the gallbladder or pancreas. You may experience symptoms like these:

• Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen.
• Pain in the upper middle part of the abdomen.
• Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen that feels like it is radiating to the right shoulder or back.
• Pain after eating a fatty meal.
• Jaundice (yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes).
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Fever.
• Chills are a feeling of coldness that comes on like a cold.
• Light brown urine or light colored stools.

If you have one or more of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor for advice.

How are gallbladder diseases treated?

Most gallbladder problems are treated by removing the gallbladder. The surgery to remove the gallbladder is called a cholecystectomy .

Now you might be thinking, 'Oh, will it be a problem if I remove my gallbladder?' No, the gallbladder is not an essential organ in our body. That means you can live a normal life without a gallbladder. After a surgeon removes your gallbladder, bile flows directly into your digestive system through the bile ducts, without being stored in the gallbladder.

Surgeons can perform this ``Cholecystectomy`` operation in three ways:

• Open Cholecystectomy : This is a procedure where the surgeon makes one large incision and removes the gallbladder. This may be done if your gallbladder is severely swollen or scarred .
• Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy : This is the most commonly used method now. In this, the surgeon makes several small incisions and uses a camera and special instruments to perform the surgery. The advantages of this method are that it heals quickly, is less painful, and does not leave large scars. In most cases, the gallbladder is removed using this laparoscopic method.
• Robotic Cholecystectomy : This is a new procedure. Only a few selected hospitals in Sri Lanka currently offer this facility.

Does my body weight affect the formation of gallstones?

Yes, that's true. Overweight people, especially women , are at higher risk of developing gallstones. This is because overweight people may have higher levels of cholesterol in their bile. When cholesterol levels in their bile increase, the risk of gallstones increases. Also, overweight people may have larger gallbladders than normal and may not function properly.

Another thing is that losing a lot of weight all at once also increases the risk of gallstones. Therefore, if you are losing weight, doing it slowly will help prevent stones from forming.

Do I need to change my eating habits after having my gallbladder removed?

Although the gallbladder is not essential, it helps you digest fatty foods. So, after having your gallbladder removed, it's a good idea to stay away from fried and fatty foods, especially in the early stages.

After surgery, make sure that no more than 30% of your total calories come from fat . Also, gradually reintroduce high-fiber foods — such as whole grains, nuts, and vegetables — into your diet. Eating too much at once can cause bloating and gas.

So, what are the most important things to remember from what we've talked about? (Take-Home Message)

Okay, so we've talked a lot about the gallbladder today, haven't we? Here are a few things to remember in short:

• The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located in the upper right side of your abdomen.
• Its main job is to store bile and help digest fatty foods.
• The most common problem is the formation of gallstones . Although these are usually harmless, they can sometimes cause problems.
• If you experience pain in the right side of your stomach after eating oily food, or if you have symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, jaundice, or fever , see a doctor.
• If the problem is with your gallbladder, you may need to have a surgery to remove it (cholecystectomy) . There's nothing to worry about, the gallbladder is not an essential organ, and you'll feel better once it's removed.

So, it's very important to be aware of your body, of these small but important organs, because that's how we can stay healthy.

` Gallbladder, gallstones, cholecystitis, abdominal pain, digestion, cholecystectomy, health