Complications of Gallstones
Read about
Complications of Gallstones presented in simple easy to understand language
Gallstones will block the normal flow of
bile into the ducts that carry bile from the liver to the small
intestine. This includes the hepatic ducts, which carry bile out of
the liver; the cystic duct, which takes bile to and from the
gallbladder; and the common bile duct, which takes bile from the
cystic and hepatic ducts to the small intestine. Bile trapped in these
ducts will cause inflammation in the gallbladder, the ducts, or in the
liver.
Complication of Gallstones include the
following
Biliary colic: This is a
type of gallstone which will migrate from the gall bladder into the
cystic duct, leading to obstruction. Symptoms include severe pain and
fever.
Inflammation of the gall bladder
(cholecystitis): Here the gall bladder duct becomes
blocked by a gallstone, leading to infection and inflammation of the
gall bladder. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain, nausea and
vomiting.
Jaundice: Sometimes the
bile duct leading to the bowel is blocked by a stone, so the trapped
bile enters the bloodstream instead of the digestive system. The bile
pigments cause a yellowing of the skin and eyes. The urine may also
turn orange or brown.
Pancreatitis: Inflammation
of the pancreas, caused by a blocked bile duct low down near the
pancreas. Pancreatic enzymes irritate and burn the pancreas and leech
out into the abdominal cavity.
Cholangitis: Inflammation
of the bile ducts, which occurs when a bile duct becomes blocked by a
stone and the bile gets secondarily infected. This causes pain, fever,
jaundice and rigors (shaking).
Gallbladder cancer: People
having the gallstones are more likely to develop gallbladder cancer.
These gallstones will cause your gallbladder to release bile more
slowly, which increases the amount of time cells are exposed to
toxins. However, gallbladder cancer is rare and the vast majority of
people with gallstones never develop gallbladder cancer.
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