Should we know exactly about the bile ducts in our body?

Have you ever had a really good meal and then felt a strange pain in the upper right side of your stomach? Sometimes this can be caused by a problem with a small, but very important, duct system inside our bodies that we don't talk about much. Today we're talking about the bile duct system, which is essential to our digestion.

Simply put, what is this bile duct?

Think of it like a system of tiny canals inside our bodies. The bile ducts are one such system. These are a network of tiny tubes (pipes) that connect several major organs in our digestive system. Their main function is to transport a liquid called "bile" from one place to another.

Our biliary system is mainly connected to three organs:

1. Liver: Bile is produced here.

2. Gallbladder: A small sac that stores bile produced by the liver until needed.

3. Small Intestine: Where the most important part of the digestive process takes place.

Bile is a yellow-green fluid that our liver produces. It contains strong acids that help dissolve fats and proteins . So, we need a safe way to get this bile to exactly where it's needed, when it's needed. That's what these bile ducts do.

How are all these organs connected together?

This is a system like a tree branching out. Let's look at it from the beginning.

• It starts in the liver: This journey begins in the very small bile ducts inside the liver, which are located on the upper right side of our abdomen. When the liver makes bile, it collects that bile through these small ducts.
• Formation of large ducts: These thousands of small ducts inside the liver join together to form two slightly larger main ducts, the right and left hepatic ducts.
• Common bile duct: After these two ducts exit the liver, they join to form the common hepatic duct .
• Connection to the gallbladder: This common hepatic duct is connected to the cystic duct, which comes from our gallbladder. The main and largest duct formed when these two join is called the common bile duct .

Now look, about half of the bile that comes from the liver goes straight down this common bile duct. The other half goes into the gallbladder and is stored temporarily.

When we eat a piece of fatty fish or a vegetable with oil with rice, our small intestine asks for help digesting this fat. At that time, the gallbladder contracts like a sponge, and sends the stored bile through the common bile duct into the small intestine. This is how bile is added to our digestive process.

What are the main problems that can occur with the bile ducts?

Even in this small pipe system, serious problems can arise. Let's look at what the main problems are.

What happens if a bile duct is blocked?

This can be a very dangerous situation.

• Organ damage: The bile that fills up can back up and start to damage the gallbladder (cholecystitis), pancreas (gallstone pancreatitis), and liver.
• Infections: When bile stagnates (cholestasis), bacterial infections are more likely to occur. If these infections enter the bloodstream, they can spread throughout the body and cause a life-threatening condition called `sepsis'.
• Jaundice: When bile starts to accumulate in the blood, the whites of the eyes and skin start to turn yellow. This is what we call jaundice.
• Other symptoms include nausea and severe itching of the skin.
• Digestive problems: Because bile does not enter the small intestine, the digestion of fats and the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) are impaired.

How do you know if you have a bile duct problem?

In this, we can focus on two main symptoms.

1. Stomach ache (Biliary Colic):

This is not like a normal stomach ache.

• It often occurs after a meal high in oil or fat.
• The pain comes from the upper right side of the stomach.
• The pain gradually increases, peaks for about an hour, and then gradually subsides over the next two to three hours.
• This may also cause nausea or vomiting.

2. Jaundice:

• Yellowing of the eyes and skin.
• Dark yellow or brown urine.
• Pale or gray stools.

How do you cure a blocked bile duct?

Doctors use various methods to remove these blockages. The best method will depend on your situation.

• ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography): This is not surgery. A camera (endoscope) attached to a long tube is passed through the mouth, down the stomach, and into the bile ducts. The doctor can then insert small instruments through this tube to remove any stones that are stuck.
• Surgery: Sometimes surgery is necessary. These days, most of the time, it's done through a small incision, using a camera and instruments (called laparoscopic surgery). If the problem is caused by gallstones, the gallbladder is often removed at the same time.
• Stent placement: If the artery is narrowed due to scarring on the inside, a small mesh-like tube (stent) is inserted to keep it open.

How do we keep our bile ducts healthy?

Small changes in our lifestyle can greatly reduce this risk.

• Control cholesterol: The main reason for the formation of gallstones is high cholesterol levels in the blood. The extra cholesterol accumulates in the bile and forms stones. Therefore, it is very important to eat things like oil, coconut milk, fast food, and processed food in moderation.
• Take care of your liver: Liver diseases can also damage your bile ducts. Therefore, you can keep your liver healthy by avoiding alcohol, avoiding unnecessary medications, and exercising regularly .

Although the gallbladder is a tiny part of our body, the service it provides is immense. Therefore, it is our responsibility to take care of it as well.