Home > Blogs > General Surgery > Is a Distended Gallbladder Serious

Is a Distended Gallbladder Serious?

Adistended gallbladder is not usually a serious condition, it can sometimes lead to more serious problems that can lead to potentially life-threatening complications if left untreated.

If you experience any of the symptoms listed below, it is important to see a doctor right away so that the underlying cause can be properly diagnosed and treated.

Also, Rupturing of the distended gallbladder is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. 

But, some of you might not know about What is Distended Gallbladder?, then start from,

A distended gallbladder is a condition when the gallbladder becomes swollen or enlarged. Also, a distended gallbladder does not function properly.

The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ that stores bile, a substance produced by the liver that helps to break down fats. 

When the gallbladder becomes distended, it can cause pain, nausea, and vomiting. In severe cases, the distended gallbladder may rupture, causing potentially life-threatening complications such as liver damage or cancer.

Have queries or concern ?

You will feel pain, typically in the upper right abdomen. This pain may be sharp and sudden or it may come on gradually and last for several hours.  

Other symptoms may include: 

• Nausea 

• Vomiting 

• Bloating 

• Belching 

• Gas 

• Indigestion 

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin) 

These symptoms may be caused by other conditions, so it is important to see a doctor if you experience any of them.  

If the gallbladder is distended, it can also cause the organ to rupture. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment to avoid potentially life-threatening complications.  

Now we know the symptoms of a distended gallbladder, then let’s look at

The treatment for a distended gallbladder depends on the underlying cause. If the condition is caused by an infection, antibiotics may be prescribed. If the distended gallbladder is due to gallstones, surgery may be necessary to remove the stones 

In some cases, the distended gallbladder may need to be removed surgically. This procedure is called a cholecystectomy and is typically performed laparoscopically, which means that small incisions are made in the abdomen and a camera is used to guide the surgeon during the operation.

Let’s assume surgical treatments are not needed, there are other non-surgical treatments which include :

• Shock Wave Lithotripsy –
  
  A procedure that uses sound waves to break up stones so that they can pass through the body.

• Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography –
  
  A procedure that uses a flexible tube and x-ray imaging to remove stones from the bile duct.

• Oral Dissolution Therapy –
  
  A treatment that uses oral medications to dissolve stones over a period of time.

Your doctor will discuss these and other treatment options with you and help you decide which one is best for you based on your individual situation.