Gallbladder cholesterolosis is one of the Gallbladder symptoms most people don’t know about.
Many people don’t pay attention to their gallbladder until it starts to cause problems.
The gallbladder is a small bladder that concentrates bile produced by the liver and is a aid in digesting dietary fats. How do these gallbladder symptoms and cholesterolosis relate? When cholesterol accumulates and deposits inside the gallbladder and in its mucosal membranes, it results in a condition known as cholesterolosis. The accumulation of these fatty deposits cause discoloured, raised spots on the gallbladder’s surface. This has lead to the pathological term of “strawberry gallbladder”.
Gallbladder symptoms and cholesterolosis often is the result of an imbalance of chemicals in the biliary system. This condition is not usually associated with high cholesterol levels in the serum, atherosclerosis, or diabetes mellitus. Instead, this condition is caused by the gallbladder malfunctioning and it changes the composition of the bile. The change in this composition causes the bile to help cholesterol bind and deposit inside the gallbladder and bile ducts. When cholesterolosis is not treated, it may lead to gallbladder cancer.
Cholesterolosis is most common with those over the age of 50 and may occur more often in women. The majority of those with cholesterolosis don’t show any symptoms at all, and this may cause them to not realize that they have this condition for quite a while. Here is why it is important to get checkups regularly. The condition is treatable in early stages, but when the condition advances and progresses, surgery may be required to remove the gallbladder to prevent further complications.
Gallbladder cholesterolosis
Cholesterolosis can be either local or general. General forms of cholesterolosis causes the gallbladder’s mucosa to become inflamed. The gallbladder tissues stain yellow due to the excess fat.
Localized forms of cholesterolosis is often identified by small polyps, which are small soft projections on the walls of the gallbladder. These polyps often vary from 1 to 10 mm. However, polyps may be malignant and can be a risk for cancer. Malignant activity in the gallbladder is known as adenomyomatosis. This condition is also associated with thickening gallbladder walls.
The definite way to confirm if you have cholesterolosis or not is to undergo an ultrasound examination. These examinations can easily reveal if polyps are present or not. Polyps usually are observed as small immobile prominences that are on the mucosal walls of the gallbladder. Those who have small polyps often can overcome the condition by receiving treatment if diagnosed early on. Advanced cholesterolosis may require surgical removal of the gallbladder.
You now know more about Gallbladder cholesterolosis than most people. Tell others (with Gallbladder symptoms) about this article, and they’ll thank you for it.