Weight gain is not commonly associated with gallbladder disease, although there are some sources which claim it could be a potential symptom, and obesity is one of the main potential causes of gallbladder disease.
The function of the gallbladder is to store bile, which is made by the liver. This bile is then used to help with the digestion of fat in the intestine. The most common type of gallbladder disease is gallstones which are made up of excess cholesterol from the bile in the gallbladder. Therefore people with high cholesterol and obese people are at more risk of developing gallstones than others.
Although a lot of people with gallstones don’t show any symptoms. When symptoms do occur it is usually because the gallstones are obstructing the bile ducts. Common symptoms are biliary colic, acute cholecystitis and jaundice.
Biliary colic can be caused by eating fatty foods and manifests itself as inflammation of the gallbladder. It causes attacks of pain in the upper abdomen which can gradually get worse over the course of an hour before stabilising. This pain can then spread to the shoulder blades and can cause vomiting.
Acute cholecystitis is a more persistent pain which is usually caused by gallstones and leads to tenderness under the ribs and a temperature than can last over 12 hours. The pain can increase with coughing and movement.
Jaundice occurs when the flow of bile from the liver is obstructed and is identified by yellow eyes and skin, with skin sometimes becoming itchy.
It is unlikely that gallbladder disease will cause weight gain, but as every strain is different and manifests itself differently in every sufferer it is worth talking to your doctor if you are concerned.
The function of the gallbladder is to store bile, which is made by the liver. This bile is then used to help with the digestion of fat in the intestine. The most common type of gallbladder disease is gallstones which are made up of excess cholesterol from the bile in the gallbladder. Therefore people with high cholesterol and obese people are at more risk of developing gallstones than others.
Although a lot of people with gallstones don’t show any symptoms. When symptoms do occur it is usually because the gallstones are obstructing the bile ducts. Common symptoms are biliary colic, acute cholecystitis and jaundice.
Biliary colic can be caused by eating fatty foods and manifests itself as inflammation of the gallbladder. It causes attacks of pain in the upper abdomen which can gradually get worse over the course of an hour before stabilising. This pain can then spread to the shoulder blades and can cause vomiting.
Acute cholecystitis is a more persistent pain which is usually caused by gallstones and leads to tenderness under the ribs and a temperature than can last over 12 hours. The pain can increase with coughing and movement.
Jaundice occurs when the flow of bile from the liver is obstructed and is identified by yellow eyes and skin, with skin sometimes becoming itchy.
It is unlikely that gallbladder disease will cause weight gain, but as every strain is different and manifests itself differently in every sufferer it is worth talking to your doctor if you are concerned.