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by Answerbag Staff on March 9th, 2010

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Does sludge stress the gallbladder?

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  • by Susan Presley on March 9th, 2010

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    Great Answer

    Professionally Researched. (What's this?)

    On One Hand: Most Sludge Causes Little or No Stress

    The gallbladder collects, processes and breaks down cholesterol with bile salts. When the cholesterol and bile salts are not properly balanced, the gallbladder creates a fluid that turns into biliary sludge. Sludge often occurs before gallstones, but usually resolves on its own and causes no further stress to the gallbladder or surrounding organs beyond the initial discomfort.

    On the Other: Complications and Treatment

    A June 2007 article in the Journal of Current Treatment Options in Gastroenterology explained that sludge in the gallbladder can lead to cholecystitis, cholangitis or pancreatitis. If the cholesterol/bile ratio worsens, gallstones may form. Gallstones can sometimes be dissolved with ultrasound or surgical removal.

    Bottom Line

    For most people, sludge does not stress the gallbladder and resolves itself naturally. For those patients whose sludge does not abate on its own, gallbladder removal is the typical treatment when sludge causes stress and other issues. Patients who are not able to tolerate surgery may undergo a sphincterotomy to prevent further stress from sludge.

    Source:

    University of Maryland Medical Center: Gallstones and Gallbladder Disease

    New England Journal of Medicine; "Gallbladder Sludge"; Eric Chen and Toan Nguyen; September 2001

    Current Treatment Options in Gastroenterology; "Biliary Sludge: When Should It Not Be Ignored"; Rajeev Jain; June 4, 2007

    American Academy of Family Physicians; "Management of Gallstones and Their Complications"; Aijaz Ahmed, Ramsey Cheung and Emmett Keeffe; March 15, 2000.

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