DIGESTIVE HEALTH

Michael Kirsch, MD, FACP

Q: What Does the Gallbladder Do?

A: The gallbladder is located on the right side of the abdomen, nestled under the liver. While it usually stays quiet, when it acts up it can hit hard and double you over. This small, pear-shaped organ stores bile, a liquid that helps with digestion. An average-sized gallbladder holds about 30 to 80 milliliters of bile. The gallbladder is essentially a storage tank, ready to disperse bile into the intestine when stimulated by a meal. Bile helps to break down fats. When food enters the stomach, the body signals the gallbladder to release bile. Bile mixes with partially digested food in the intestine and breaks down large molecules of fat and cholesterol. Between meals, bile made in the liver is channeled to the gallbladder to be stored until it is needed again. Gallstones are the most common health problem associated with the gallbladder. If gallstones get caught in a duct and block the flow of bile, the gallbladder can develop inflammation which can lead to cholecystitis. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Gallbladder pain can mimic other conditions, including a heart attack. Doctors always evaluate these symptoms very carefully. You may be at increased risk for gallstones if you are pregnant, diabetic, obese, over the age of 40, losing weight too quickly, eating a high-fat diet, taking birth control pills or taking hormone replacement therapy. If you think you have a gallbladder issue, come and see us. For your convenience, you can request an appointment for my office online at www. CDHOhio.com.

Center for Digestive Health 34940 Ridge Rd. #B Willoughby, OH 44094 (440) 953-1899 www.cdhwilloughby.com