| Abstract: |
Gallbladder disease is common, especially in women. This article, from a women's health newsletter, reviews gallstones and the pain they can cause. The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ on the right side of the abdomen, just beneath the liver. The main function of the gallbladder is to store bile, a greenish-brown fluid that helps to digest fats. Bile is produced in the liver and travels to the gallbladder and small intestine through thin tubes (the bile ducts). If bile within the gallbladder becomes chemically unbalanced, it can form into hardened particles that eventually grow into stones. Topics include gallstone formation, risk factors for gallstones, gallstone movement, diagnostic tests that can confirm the presence of gallstones, and treatment options. Readers are encouraged to reduce their risks of gallstones by maintaining a healthy body weight, exercising regularly, and eating a low-fat, high-fiber diet plentiful in fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. 1 figure. |