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Hello, I Have Been Diagnosed With Gallbladder Sludge In August
Question: Hello, I have been diagnosed with gallbladder sludge in August and intrahepatic dilated bile ducts in July. I am scheduled for surgery in 2 weeks (gallbladder removal and cholangiogram) but my family is asking me to try holistic approaches. I have completed a liver cleanse and am on multiple supplements including ox bile salts but I'm not well. What is the best approach for this diagnosis- natural or surgery?
Brief Answer:
Cholangiogram and surgery are well studied methods and the preferred way to treat the dilated bile ducts.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Intrahepatic bile duct dilation generally happen from mechanic problems within the draining system of the bile. These mechanic problems can be caused by the gallbladder, pancreas, or masses in the liver (cysts or tumors). In almost all of these cases because the problem is mechanic (physical blockage) the best treatment is to remove the cause and in most cases a surgical intervention is the best treatment. Cholangiogram will help visualize the bile routes (biliary tubes) and identify the level and the cause of the blockage so that the doctor will better know how to treat it. Even though the doctor is suspecting the gallbladder to be the cause of the dilated bile ducts in your case, the cholangiogram examination might reveal other causes (as explained above) that might need to be addressed so it is crucial to have it done.
I would say that because you are not doing well and because bile ducts dilatation can be complicated with serious consequences if not treated appropriately, it is bets to follow the advise of the doctor and have the surgery as recommended. Herbal medicine (natural or holistic approach) is not well studied in this field and puts you at risk while traditional medicine has clear guidelines on how to treat these cases.
So to conclude i would say that is it safer for you to follow the instructions of your doctor and have the cholangiogram and the surgery as recommended.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General & Family Physician
Cholangiogram and surgery are well studied methods and the preferred way to treat the dilated bile ducts.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Intrahepatic bile duct dilation generally happen from mechanic problems within the draining system of the bile. These mechanic problems can be caused by the gallbladder, pancreas, or masses in the liver (cysts or tumors). In almost all of these cases because the problem is mechanic (physical blockage) the best treatment is to remove the cause and in most cases a surgical intervention is the best treatment. Cholangiogram will help visualize the bile routes (biliary tubes) and identify the level and the cause of the blockage so that the doctor will better know how to treat it. Even though the doctor is suspecting the gallbladder to be the cause of the dilated bile ducts in your case, the cholangiogram examination might reveal other causes (as explained above) that might need to be addressed so it is crucial to have it done.
I would say that because you are not doing well and because bile ducts dilatation can be complicated with serious consequences if not treated appropriately, it is bets to follow the advise of the doctor and have the surgery as recommended. Herbal medicine (natural or holistic approach) is not well studied in this field and puts you at risk while traditional medicine has clear guidelines on how to treat these cases.
So to conclude i would say that is it safer for you to follow the instructions of your doctor and have the cholangiogram and the surgery as recommended.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General & Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you, it hasn't been explained to me quite that way. My other concerns are what would my quality of life be without a gallbladder? I've read that I wouldn't be able to absorb or process fats and vital nutrients like vitamin D, E and A. Which can cause premature aging, autoimmune diseases and other problems. Also, it is supposed to be a lapo surgery with possible open..what would make it an open surgery?
Brief Answer:
Most of the patients don't have indigestion after gallbladder removal
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the reply.
Many people have their gallbladder removed and they still have normal life. The gallbladder serves as a store room for the bile, meanwhile the bile is produced by the liver. So your liver will continue to produce the bile but it will not be stored in the gallbladder and released only after you eat but will be released little by little continuously. This will mean that you will not have all the bile at the time you need it (after meals) but you will still have some bile in the system. Only a few people get indigestion after gallbladder removal and they experience it for a few weeks to a few months.
Having less fat and eating frequent small amount of food is helpful to avoid indigestion. Avoid alcohol, coffee and very sweet foods as well as they may worsen diarrhea. Adding fiber supplement in the diet helps.
Rarely indigestion lasts and in this case the doctor may prescribe medications against diarrhea and also may give you mulitvitamins to take care of the possible ADEK vitamin loss.
But i would like to mention again that this is very rarely the case and most patients live normal life after gallbladder removal.
As for the surgery: open surgery means the doctor will open a surgical wound on your tummy to access the gallbladder.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General & Family Physician
Most of the patients don't have indigestion after gallbladder removal
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the reply.
Many people have their gallbladder removed and they still have normal life. The gallbladder serves as a store room for the bile, meanwhile the bile is produced by the liver. So your liver will continue to produce the bile but it will not be stored in the gallbladder and released only after you eat but will be released little by little continuously. This will mean that you will not have all the bile at the time you need it (after meals) but you will still have some bile in the system. Only a few people get indigestion after gallbladder removal and they experience it for a few weeks to a few months.
Having less fat and eating frequent small amount of food is helpful to avoid indigestion. Avoid alcohol, coffee and very sweet foods as well as they may worsen diarrhea. Adding fiber supplement in the diet helps.
Rarely indigestion lasts and in this case the doctor may prescribe medications against diarrhea and also may give you mulitvitamins to take care of the possible ADEK vitamin loss.
But i would like to mention again that this is very rarely the case and most patients live normal life after gallbladder removal.
As for the surgery: open surgery means the doctor will open a surgical wound on your tummy to access the gallbladder.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General & Family Physician
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
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