What Does the Gallbladder Do?

The gallbladder is an internal organ the size and shape of a pear. It’s located under the liver in the upper right of the abdomen, and its function is to store bile, a compound produced by the liver that helps digest fat and allows the body to absorb fat-soluble vitamins and nutrients.

Unfortunately, the opening to the bile duct can become blocked by gallstones, causing severe pain and discomfort. Without treatment, the organ’s wall can rupture from backed-up bile, so it’s important to seek medical help if you’re having symptoms.

At Advanced Surgical Associates of Northern Minnesota, Dr. John Bollins and his team offer comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for gallstones and gallbladder inflammation, specializing in minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery. Here’s what you need to know about what the gallbladder does and where it can go wrong.

The functioning gallbladder

Your gallbladder is one part of the much larger digestive system, and it’s connected to other parts through a series of bile ducts known as the biliary tract. This pipe-like system carries bile from your liver to your small intestine.

Before you eat, the gallbladder is filled with bile. When you start eating, your body signals the gallbladder to contract, squeezing the stored bile through the biliary tract until it reaches the largest bile duct, the common bile duct. From there, it moves into the duodenum, the top part of the small intestine, mixing it with the food you just ate. After digestion, the empty gallbladder looks like a deflated balloon waiting to be filled up again.

Gallbladder problems

The most common problem that arises with the gallbladder is gallstones. Normally, materials present in bile are dissolved in the liquid; however, these materials can precipitate out and bind together, forming stones that range in size from sand grains to golf balls. The stones aren’t inherently dangerous but may cause inflammation, pain, and/or nausea.

More of a problem is when the stones are large enough to block the exit from the gallbladder, causing the bile to back up within the organ. The excess bile irritates the tissue, leading to swelling and infection. The gallbladder becomes damaged and can’t function properly if the stones aren't removed. This condition is known as cholecystitis.

Continued cholecystitis can lead to a perforated gallbladder or a fistula, where a hole develops in the gallbladder wall, allowing fluids to leak into other parts of the body and trigger a widespread infection.

Cholecystitis comes with abdominal pain in the upper right quadrant that may spread to your right shoulder blade or upper back, nausea and vomiting, and a fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. You may also experience abdominal distension and tenderness, abdominal muscle stiffness, weakness, and fatigue. It usually requires surgery to remove the gallbladder entirely, which isn’t a problem as it isn’t an essential organ.

Gallstone pancreatitis, or pancreas inflammation, is also a common problem. It happens when a gallstone moves down the common bile duct and blocks the pancreatic duct just before it drains into the small intestine.

Risk factors

Your risk of gallstones and gallstone-related problems increases if you:

Are female
Are obese
Are older
Have a family history of gallstones or certain genetic factors
Have diseases such as cirrhosis, sickle cell anemia, and cystic fibrosis
Have problems with the ileus, or small intestine

Obesity is a risk because overweight people may have more cholesterol in their bile, which can lead to gallstones. In addition, they may have bigger gallbladders that don't function as efficiently. However, losing weight too quickly can raise your risk even more. Your gallbladder and your overall health should lose weight slowly but steadily.

Suppose you're experiencing any of the symptoms of gallstones or cholecystitis. In that case, you must come into Advanced Surgical Associates of Northern Minnesota for an evaluation with Dr. Bollins to ensure the condition doesn't progress. To get started, call our office at our Hibbing, Duluth, or Ely, Minnesota, office, or book your appointment online.

We proudly accept Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield, Cigna, HealthPartners, Humana, UCare, Medica, and SecurityHealthPlan.