Gallbladder Disease and Liver Health

Topics

• What is Gallbladder Disease?
• What Causes Gallbladder Disease?
• Who is at Risk for Gallbladder Disease?
• Symptoms of Gallbladder Disease
• How is Gallbladder Disease Diagnosed?
• Gallbladder Disease Treatment
• Can One Live Without a Gallbladder?
• Alternative Treatments for Gallbladder Disease
• Gallbladder Cleanse Safety
• Suggested Articles

What is the Treatment for Gallbladder Disease?

Gallstones that do not cause pain or other symptoms typically do not require treatment, however, when treatment is required, the following are common treatments for gallbladder disease:

• Antibiotics – to prevent infection from spreading which may occur when inflammation is present in the gallbladder (cholecystitis)
• Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy – when only a few small gallstones are present, high-energy shockwaves are projected from a machine through the abdominal wall, breaking up gallstones.
• Chemotherapy and radiation therapy – may be used after surgery for gallbladder cancer to help prevent cancer from returning.
• Gallbladder surgery (cholecystectomy) - the gallbladder is removed, using either laparoscopy (several small cuts) or laparotomy (traditional “open” surgery with a larger incision).
• Ursodeoxycholic acid – an oral medication for individuals who are not good candidates for surgery due to problems with gallstones. Ursodeoxycholic acid may help dissolve small cholesterol gallstones and reduce symptoms. Another oral solution is called Chenix.
• Contact solvent dissolution – rarely used, a needle is inserted through the skin into the gallbladder, and chemicals are injected that dissolve gallstones

How is Gallbladder Disease Diagnosed? Can One Live Without a Gallbladder?