Beyond Gallstones: 10 Conditions That Could Be Affecting Your Gallbladder

9. Biliary Dyskinesia

Biliary dyskinesia is a condition involving low gallbladder function. It is often related to chronic gallbladder inflammation, though gallstones are usually not present. Some experts believe that metabolic disorders that influence the gastrointestinal tract’s movement can cause it as well. Symptoms of biliary dyskinesia include nausea, indigestion, bloating, and pain in the abdomen after eating. In fact, consuming fatty food often triggers the symptoms. Some symptoms can mimic biliary colic, such as sharp upper right abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and appetite loss. However, they must not be the result of gallbladder stones. The best treatment for this condition is gallbladder removal surgery. However, biliary dyskinesia patients need complete lab studies before this can happen. The complete lab studies must include lipase level tests, liver enzyme studies, amylase tests, and conjugated bilirubin level tests. Patients must have normal results on all of their lab tests before they can have surgery or biliary dyskinesia.

10. Calcified Gallbladder

Calcified gallbladder, also called porcelain gallbladder, occurs when there are excessive calcium deposits in the gallbladder. Many experts believe that this condition is caused by excessive gallstones, though the precise cause is unclear. Past studies have stated that calcified gallbladder greatly increases an individual’s risk of developing gallbladder cancer. However, these studies are old, and many agree that while there seems to be a connection, it is not entirely clear as of yet. Symptoms of calcified gallbladder include vomiting, jaundice, and abdominal pain. Abdominal pain after eating is particularly common. However, some cases of calcified gallbladder are asymptomatic. In these cases, the condition is revealed on imaging tests conducted for different reasons. Treatment for this condition is clear: surgery to remove the gallbladder.