The U.S. National Library of Medicine, a part of the National Institutes of Health, notes that gallstones affect 10%-15% of the adult population, meaning that 20 to 25 million Americans have or will have gallstones. Gallstones, the most common form of gallbladder disease, cause pain in your upper right abdomen and may lead to serious health conditions if left untreated.
Symptoms of gallstones may include nausea, vomiting, dark urine and stomach pain caused when bile movement from the gallbladder is blocked.
If gallstones are left untreated, they can lead to other serious health conditions such as:
- Jaundice
- Blood infections
- Gallbladder cancer
- Bile duct infections
Gallstones are not the only type of gallbladder disease you can develop. You can also develop gangrene, abscesses, growths and tumors in the gallbladder and bile duct. Lifestyle risk factors for developing gallbladder diseases include being overweight or obese, eating a diet high in fat or cholesterol, rapid weight loss in a short period of time and having diabetes.
To reduce your risk of developing a gallbladder disease, follow a regular exercise routine, eat an anti-inflammatory diet, maintain a healthy weight and avoid having major weight loss in a short period of time.
If you are concerned about the health of your gallbladder or think you may be suffering from a gallbladder disease, make an appointment at BSA Amarillo Diagnostic Clinic by calling 806-358-0200.