All About Gallbladder Sludge

  What is gallbladder sludge? What is gallbladder sludge?

The gallbladder is located betweenh the intestines and the liver. It stores bile from the liver until it’s time to release it into the intestines to aid in digestion. 

If the gallbladder doesn’t empty completely, particles in the bile — like cholesterol or calcium salts — can thicken as a result of remaining in the gallbladder for too long. They eventually become biliary sludge, which is commonly referred to as gallbladder sludge.

Water deficits in one's body, overtime, causes this discrepancies in the systems. 

What are the symptoms of gallbladder sludge?

Some people who have gallbladder sludge will show no symptoms and never know that they have it. Others will experience symptoms consistent with an inflamed gallbladder or gallbladder stones. The primary symptom is often abdominal pain, especially on your upper right side under the ribs. This pain may increase shortly after a meal.

Other symptoms can include:

•chest pain

•right shoulder pain

•nausea and vomiting

•clay-like stools

What causes gallbladder sludge?

Gallbladder sludge forms when bile remains in the gallbladder for too long. Mucus from the gallbladder can mix with cholesterol and calcium salts, combining to create the sludge.

Gallbladder sludge seems to be more common during pregnancy, especially if you’re following a strict diet.

While gallbladder sludge is not a common problem, there are certain people who have a higher risk for developing it. Groups who are at a higher risk include:

•women, who have higher rates of gallbladder problems than men

•people who are getting nutrition through an IV or another alternative to food

•people who are critically ill

•people with diabetes

•people who were very overweight and lost weight very quickly

•people who have had an organ transplant

All these people should regulate their water intake, daily, to prevent cellular dehydration. 

How is gallbladder sludge diagnosed?

If you’re experiencing abdominal pain, your doctor will ask about your medical history and your symptoms. They’ll then perform a physical exam, pressing on different places on your abdomen. If they suspect that your gallbladder may be the source of the pain, they’ll likely order an abdominal ultrasound, which can pick up gallstones with remarkable accuracy.