WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
The gallbladder is a small pouch near the liver where
bile is stored. Bile helps to break down food, especially fats.
The gallbladder can become irritated and swollen. A common
cause of gallbladder disease is gallstones. Pain from
gallstones is also called ""biliary (BILL-ee-air-ee)
colic.'' Many people have gallstones but do not know it.
Often, gallstones stay in the gallbladder or pass through it
without causing problems. However, if one gets stuck on its way
out of the gallbladder, intense pain can result.
Causes
You are more likely to have gallstones if your parents
had them. Your chances of developing gallstones also increase
if you weigh too much, have many children, take birth control
pills, drink too much alcohol, and have a high-fat diet.
Whenever the gallbladder cannot completely empty, gallstones
may develop. For instance, infection and swelling of the tubes
that carry bile out of the liver can produce
gallstones.
Signs/Symptoms
You may not have any symptoms, or you may have stomach
pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, or jaundice (yellow skin or
eyes). You may also feel bloated, not be able to eat fatty
food, and burp more than usual.
Care
Your doctor may suggest aspirin,
acetaminophen, or ibuprofen for pain. Rest until you feel
better. You may need to go into the hospital for more tests and
treatment. If your gallstones or other gallbladder
disease causes problems such as infection, you may need to have
the gallstones broken apart or removed. Surgery may be needed
to remove your gallbladder.
Risks
The disease is not life-threatening, but could get worse
if you do not get treatment.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
-
You may take aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen for
pain.
-
Rest in bed until you are feeling
better.
-
During an attack, drink clear fluids if you are able.
Don't eat anything.
-
To prevent further attacks, don't eat foods that give
you indigestion. Make sure everything you eat is low in
fat.
Seek Care Immediately If...
-
You have a high temperature.
-
You have severe pain in the upper right side of your
abdomen or between your shoulder
blades.
-
You start to vomit.
-
You have shortness of breath.
-
Your skin or eyes turn yellow, or your urine is dark
brown.
IF YOU'RE HEADING FOR THE
HOSPITAL...
What to Expect While You're
There
You may encounter the following
procedures and equipment during your stay.
-
Abdominal Ultrasound: This painless test to look at
your gallbladder is done while you're lying down. A dab of
a jelly-like lotion is placed on your stomach. The person
doing the test will gently move a small handle through the
lotion and across the skin. A TV-like screen is attached to
the handle.
-
Lithotripsy (lith-uh-TRIP-see): Your gallstones may
be broken apart with medicine, shock waves, or
both.
-
Surgery: You may need to have surgery to remove your
gallbladder.
-
Antibiotic Medicines: You may be given these drugs
by IV, shot, or mouth. They fight
infection.
-
Pain Medicine: This medicine may be given in your
IV, as a shot, or by mouth. If your pain is not better
after you take the medication, tell your nurse at
once.
-
Taking Vital Signs: These include your temperature,
blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeats), and
respirations (counting your breaths). A stethoscope is used
to listen to your heart and lungs. Your blood pressure is
taken by wrapping a cuff around your
arm.
-
Pulse Oximeter: If you are getting oxygen, you may
be hooked up to a pulse oximeter (ox-IM-uh-ter). It is
placed on your ear, finger, or toe, and is connected to a
machine that measures the oxygen in your
blood.
-
IV: A tube placed in your vein for giving medicine
or liquids. It will be capped or have tubing connected to
it.
-
Blood: Usually taken from a vein in your hand or
from the bend in your elbow. Tests will be done on the
blood.
-
Chest X-ray: This picture of your lungs and heart
shows how they are handling the
illness.
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