Gallbladder bile aids in the digestion of fats and is made up of various ingredients. Blockages in the bile duct can lead to jaundice and bile duct cancer, which is treated with surgery or a tube to guide bile into the small intestine.
Gallbladder bile is a body fluid produced by the liver to naturally aid in the digestion of fats. This substance can vary in its description from orange to green to brown or can also have a yellowish-brown hue. Produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, bile eventually enters the small intestine where it then works to help break down fats that enter the body when food is eaten.
Gallbladder bile is made up of several other ingredients found in the body, such as gallbladder bile salts, inorganic salts, mucus, lecithin, cholesterol, bilirubin, and water. Also known as liver fluid, bile builds up in the body between meals and is temporarily stored inside the gallbladder, which is directly connected to the liver. Eventually, this substance is transferred to the small intestine via the gallbladder bile duct where, during meals, it works to help digest fats.
Multiple complications and conditions can occur if the bile duct of the gallbladder becomes blocked and unable to function as expected. One such condition is jaundice, which occurs when a blockage causes a buildup in the bloodstream of bilirubin, which is present in the bile. One of the most recognizable symptoms of jaundice is a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. Some with this condition also report general discomfort and itchy skin. Jaundice is also known as jaundice and requires medical treatment to clear the blockage and reverse the symptoms.
Gallbladder bile duct cancer is what occurs when tumors develop in the bile duct. These tumors can form in the upper or lower part of the duct and will present with symptoms such as stomach pain, jaundice, loss of appetite, unintentional weight loss, fatigue and weakness. Some also report feelings of nausea and vomiting with this type of cancer. Liver test results will also show abnormalities when gallbladder bile duct tumors begin to form.
Cancer of the bile duct of the gallbladder most commonly affects patients 65 years of age and older. Surgical removal of the tumors is the primary treatment for this type of cancer, unless it is in an advanced stage where surgery cannot help. When this happens, doctors will suggest inserting a tube into the duct for the purpose of guiding bile into the small intestine. While this method won’t cure cancer, it can help relieve the pain, discomfort, and jaundice that result from blockage of the bile duct.
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