Posted by The class objective I will be covering is the function of the gallbladder in the digestive system. Obesity is a highly prevalent but underrated disease that affects many organs. A lesser known digestive organ to have complications caused by obesity is the gallbladder. Although the gallbladder is not a vital organ, it plays an important role in the digestive system.
The gallbladder is a small organ located between the liver, small intestine, and pancreas, and is used to store bile produced by the liver to help fat digestion.
Gallbladder diseases are defined as a family of disorders affecting the gallbladder. These disorders range from a group of symptoms to include inflammation, blockage, and mechanical dysfunction also known as biliary dyskinesia. Inflammation and blockage is known as cholecystitis and may be treated by antibiotics or surgical intervention.
These diseases are usually associated by the presence of gallstones, but not always. The most commonly diagnosed gallbladder disease is cholelithiasis or gallstones. The presence of gallstones is influenced by many factors to include genetics, gender, environmental influences and cholesterol levels.
There are a few factors that contribute to gallstones but obesity or metabolic syndrome encompasses a few of them. Many studies have proven that being female increases the likelihood of having gallstones possibly due to puberty and hormones and or the use of birth control and hormone replacement (Lori L Boland, Aaron R Folsom, Wayne D Rosamond,). A study of fetal ultrasounds determined fetal stones which may be related to genetic factors as well. (MDPI) Obesity significantly increases the risk of gallbladder disease due to metabolic disruption and lifestyle favors. Modern dietary habits of high sugars, fats and low fiber increase cholesterol levels. When biliary cholesterol concentrations increase the risk of stone production increases and the overall motility decreases.(MDPI)
If gallbladder issues are suspected a physician may order liver function tests to determine bile duct issues or liver involvement, and imaging to include abdominal ultrasounds to identify stones or inflammation. For a more in depth view nuclear medicine imaging called a HIDA scan can be ordered to evaluate function of the gallbladder and bile ducts. Treatment in less severe cases of cholelithiasis, can vary from lifestyle modifications to assist with weight loss , the diet would include a low fat and high fiber diet, increased physical activity, and medications which can reduce stone formation. Ultimately decreasing total cholesterol would be beneficial but if that treatment is ineffective, stone recurrence can lead to a chronic or severe case. In which case surgical intervention is necessary to remove the gallbladder.
In conclusion, The gallbladder poses an important role in storing bile but a combination of factors to include genetics, gender,and poor lifestyle and diet may lead to gallstones formed by an overabundance of biliary cholesterol. Disorders of the gallbladder may be treated with lifestyle modification and medication but more severe cases result in the removal of the gallbladder. Although that sounds intimidating, we can still function without a gallbladder. We just have to give up on fatty processed foods.
CITATIONS:
Cleveland clinic, “Gallbladder Disease,” 2024 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22976-gallbladder-disease
Yang W, Wu H, Cai X, et al. Weight reduction and the risk of gallbladder and biliary disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Obesity Reviews. 2024; 25(6):e13725. doi:10.1111/obr.13725
https://onlinelibrary-wiley-com.uaf.idm.oclc.org/doi/full/10.1111/obr.13725
Lori L Boland, Aaron R Folsom, Wayne D Rosamond,
Hyperinsulinemia, Dyslipidemia, and Obesity as Risk Factors for Hospitalized Gallbladder Disease: A Prospective Study,
Annals of Epidemiology,
Volume 12, Issue 2,
2002,
Pages 131-140
https://doi.org/10.1016/S1047-2797(01)00260-5
Zdanowicz, Katarzyna, et al. “The Etiology of Cholelithiasis in Children and Adolescents-A Literature Review.” MDPI, Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 2 Nov. 2022, www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/21/1336https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/21/13376
Wengrovitz, M., M. D. (2024). Gallbladder diseases. Salem Press Encyclopedia of Health
https://research-ebsco-com.uaf.idm.oclc.org/c/qg64q2/viewer/html/66q2m5o6sj?modal=cite
The following essay discusses the gallbladder’s function in the digestive system and how that relates to gallbladder diseases, gallstones, and obesity.
The gallbladder is a small organ located between the liver, small intestine, and pancreas. Its main job is to store excess bile produced by the liver to aid in digestion.
Gallbladder diseases present a variety of symptoms, including inflammation, blockage, and mechanical dysfunction like biliary dyskinesia. These diseases are often, though not always, characterized by cholelithiasis, or gallstones, which is the most common condition affecting the gallbladder. Factors contributing to gallstones include obesity, hormone disruptors such as birth control and hormone replacement therapy, gender, genetics, and more.
Obesity increases the risk of gallbladder disease due to metabolic disruption and lifestyle choices. Diets high in sugar and fat, along with low fiber, raise cholesterol levels. The increase in biliary cholesterol concentrations elevates the risk of gallstone formation and decreases overall motility.
Gallbladder issues can be diagnosed by a physician using liver function tests and HIDA scans. In less severe cases, treatment may involve changing dietary habits to a low-fat, high-fiber diet to decrease cholesterol levels. However, if treatment is insufficient and stone recurrence occurs, surgery may be necessary for more severe cases.