Although the gallbladder is a small organ, it can have a significant impact on your overall health. In other words, gallbladder issues can have a significant influence on your daily quality of life, particularly if gallstones or other gallbladder-related conditions become progressively symptomatic.
In light of this, we will discuss all you need to know about the gallbladder, from chronic problems related to the gallbladder to measures to boost gallbladder health.
How Much Does a Gallbladder Weigh?
The gallbladder, often called the cholecyst, is one of the tiniest organs in the human body. The tiny organ acts as a messenger between the liver and small intestine, transporting bile from the liver to the small intestine. Since the gallbladder is entirely hollow, it weighs between 2 and 2.5 ounces. This is roughly equivalent to the weight of a tennis ball or two AA batteries.
What Is the Typical Gallbladder Size?
In relation to its mass, the gallbladder is quite lengthy. In actuality, the average gallbladder is between three and four inches in length. In addition, the organ is typically 1.5 inches wide. Due to its diminutive size, the gallbladder can only hold 100 millilitres (.001 litres) of bile before emptying its contents into the small intestine via the bile duct.
What use does the gallbladder serve?
The gallbladder expels bile from the body, thereby aiding the liver and small intestine. It stores bile, often known as “gall,” which is ultimately released into the small intestine. Depending on the bile’s composition, the gallbladder degrades it at varying speeds.
Bile that is richer in fat or oil, for example, will take longer to move through the gallbladder and into the small intestine. Typically, this is the source of post-meal bloating. Ultimately, the gallbladder acts as a temporary bile storage facility as part of the body’s waste management system.
Typical Gallbladder Health Concerns
Despite the gallbladder’s little size, a malfunctioning gallbladder may wreak havoc on your health in several ways. The gallbladder, together with the liver and pancreas, is responsible for eliminating waste from the body.
A gallbladder that is inflamed or injured and unable to discharge waste can cause discomfort, fever, chills, vomiting, and other symptoms. Among the most prevalent gallbladder health concerns are the following:
Gallstones are formed when substances in the bile and blood build hard deposits in the gallbladder, preventing it from emptying bile and performing its critical tasks.
Choledocholithiasis is caused by gallstones obstructing the bile ducts of the gallbladder. Inability of bile to flow from the gallbladder to the intestines can result in pain, fever, and jaundice, among other symptoms.
Cholecystitis is caused by inflammation of the gallbladder. This could be an isolated incident, or it could become a recurring problem. Acute cholecystitis is typically caused by gallstones and manifests as abdominal pain following a meal. Chronic cholecystitis can cause gallbladder damage and necessitate surgery.
Gangrene: This is the result of untreated acute cholecystitis when the gallbladder fails to encourage normal blood flow, causing symptoms such as fever, nausea, and confusion.
Gallbladder Abscess: Gallbladder abscesses, also known as empyema, occur when the gallbladder fills with pus. This condition can be life-threatening if neglected. Typical symptoms consist of chills, stomach/abdominal pain, and fever.
Polyps of the gallbladder are growths that develop in the gallbladder. They are normally benign and asymptomatic, but excision may be necessary if they grow to a substantial size.
This condition is caused by repeated inflammation of the bile duct, which causes scarring of the gallbladder. Emergent signs of sclerosing cholangitis may include jaundice, fever, and discomfort. Although half of those who acquire sclerosing cholangitis will have no symptoms, symptoms may include jaundice, fever, and discomfort.
Biliary Dyskinesia: Often the result of chronic inflammation, biliary dyskinesia is the inability of the gallbladder to operate optimally. Symptoms include post-meal discomfort and acid reflux.
Acalculous Gallbladder Disease is diagnosed when the gallbladder is inflamed without the presence of gallstones. It frequently shares symptoms with gallstones and acute cholecystitis.
Gallbladder Cancer: Although this type of cancer is rare — it affects 4,000 Americans annually — those with gallstones and chronic inflammation have an elevated risk of acquiring gallbladder cancer. Although gallbladder cancer begins in the gallbladder’s inner lining, it can migrate to other vital organs, such as the liver.
What Exactly Are Gallstones?
Gallbladder stones, often known as gallstones, are hard deposits that form in the gallbladder and bile ducts. Typically, these stones are composed of solidified cholesterol or bilirubin — broken-down red blood cells in the liver. Cholesterol stones are the most prevalent. These pebbles can range in size from a sand grain to a golf ball.
Frequently, a gallbladder will include a number of tiny stones. Some individuals with gallstones may suffer unpleasant symptoms, particularly if tiny stones become lodged in the bile duct or if persistent stones cause inflammation, scarring, or other damage. Other individuals may never develop symptoms, meaning they may be unaware they have gallstones.
In the event that gallstones obstruct the bile duct or cause the onset of symptoms, surgery may be required. Although the gallbladder aids the liver in waste elimination, it is not a necessary organ. In some circumstances, surgery may be required to remove gallstones, or the gallbladder may be removed entirely. Using a scope, gallstones can also be extracted non-surgically. Untreated gallstones with symptoms can progress to pancreatitis and other unpleasant illnesses. If a patient has no symptoms and the gallstones are not inhibiting the function of their gallbladder, no treatment may be necessary.
How to Maintain a Gallbladder in Good Health
Fortunately, maintaining a healthy gallbladder is often as simple as adjusting your diet. Consuming high-fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, can help avoid gallstones. Conversely, sugar and carbohydrates can contribute to gallbladder difficulties, so reducing your intake of both can help improve the function of the organ. In addition, increasing your intake of healthy fats and oils and decreasing your intake of bad fats might improve your gallbladder health.
Maintaining a healthy weight for your body type is also beneficial for gallbladder health. However, it is essential to remember that crash diets, weight-loss surgery, and undereating might raise your risk of acquiring gallstones and other uncomfortable problems. In certain instances, moderate, healthy weight loss coming from everyday activity might dramatically reduce the likelihood of developing gallstones. Preventative drugs, such as ursodiol, which dissolves gallstones before they can fully form, may be beneficial for patients who have a greater risk of developing gallstones.