Things To Know About Bile Duct And Gallbladder Disease

Bile ducts are drainage pipes that carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder and from the gallbladder to the small intestine. Dr. Vladimir Donchev in Margate, FL helps treat a variety of diseases that can affect your bile ducts or gallbladder.

These diseases cause similar symptoms. Gallstones are the most common cause of blocked bile ducts. They typically come from inside the gallbladder and can block the bile duct. If bacteria above the blockage accumulate and back up into the liver, it may cause a severe infection called ascending cholangitis. If a gallstone stops in between the gallbladder and the common bile duct, an infection called cholecystitis may occur.

Symptoms of Gallstones and Bile Duct Stones

Gallstones can be minuscule. You may have one stone or more. The most common symptom is upper abdominal pain on the right side of the body, where the liver and gallbladder are located. The pain may start suddenly and be intense, or it may be slow and shift from the abdominal area to the upper back and shoulder.

Prolonged blockage of the bile duct can cause a buildup of waste products in the biliary tract and the bloodstream resulting in inflammation of the gallbladder. A gallstone or bile stone in the common bile duct may block the pancreatic duct causing painful inflammation of the pancreas or pancreatitis. If a stone completely blocks the ducts of the gallbladder, liver, common bile duct, or pancreas, the resulting symptoms include:

• Nausea
• Fever
• Chills
• Yellow Skin or Eyes
• Dark Urine
• Itching
• Fatigue
• Weight Loss
• Night Sweats
• Loss of Appetite
• Colored Stools

Treating the Bile Duct and Gallbladder in Margate, FL

If you suspect that you have gallstones, you should visit Dr. Donchev to determine the best course of action. We treat the bile duct and gallbladder disease and other conditions affecting the liver and pancreas.