Gall bladder cholesterosis is a rather rare disease. However, many people are interested in questions about what constitutes such a disease. What symptoms distinguish it from other disorders of the digestive tract? How dangerous can an illness be? This information will be useful to every reader.
What is cholesterosis?
Gallbladder cholesterosis is a disease that is not so common in modern medical practice. With such an ailment, an accumulation in the wall of the gallbladder of one of the products of fat metabolism, cholesterol, is observed. In this case, there is a change in the normal functioning of the body. In addition, under the influence of certain factors, the development of the inflammatory process is possible.
It is worth noting that it is not so simple to diagnose cholesterosis of the walls of the gallbladder. In most cases, the final diagnosis is made after some instrumental procedures. Most often, young people, mainly women, suffer from the disease.
Pathogenesis of the disease
In fact, the mechanism of the development of the disease is still being studied. However, scientists have already managed to make some important discoveries. Normally, cholesterol and other lipid compounds are not deposited by the gallbladder wall.
Of course, the wall tissues adsorb cholesterol - about a third of it enters the serous membrane of the bladder, from where it then enters the lymphatic and blood vessels, and two-thirds of the lipid compounds return to the bile. But with certain violations of lipid metabolism, cholesterol begins to accumulate in the wall - this is how cholesterosis of the gallbladder develops.
The main causes of the disease
Unfortunately, the reasons for the deposition of lipids in the gallbladder wall have not yet been elucidated. Naturally, there are many theories. Some scientists associate this disorder with a malfunction of the nerve endings, as a result of which the motor and evacuation function of the gallbladder changes . On the other hand, the causes include violations of normal blood flow and lymph circulation. In some cases, the causes are certain changes in the hormonal background.
Are there any risk factors?
Despite the fact that it has not yet been possible to determine exactly how cholesterosis of the walls of the gallbladder develops, doctors identify several main risk factors:
- To begin with, it is worth mentioning dyslipidemia. This condition is associated with impaired normal lipid metabolism. In most cases, the disease is caused by eating too much fatty food.
- Gallbladder cholesterosis is often diagnosed in patients with hypothyroidism amid a decrease in the amount of hormones synthesized by the thyroid gland.
- Risk factors can also include diabetes.
- Some experts associate cholesterosis with abdominal obesity.
- The disease can also develop against the background of non-alcoholic obesity of the liver.
- Potentially dangerous is the so-called syndrome of excessive bacterial growth, in which there is a change in the quantitative composition of the intestinal microflora.
- Naturally, digestive tract diseases, including gallstone disease, gastritis, pancreatitis, intestinal lesions, etc., can be attributed to risk factors.
Classification: main types of disease
To date, there are several classification schemes for this disease. For example, depending on the presence of stones in the bladder, these are distinguished:
- The stoneless form of the disease is considered the most common and is not accompanied by the formation of mineral deposits.
- In some cases, the disease is combined with cholelithiasis, in which the formation of cholesterol stones is observed.
Depending on the characteristics of the course of the disease, it is customary to distinguish the following varieties:
- Focal gallbladder cholesterosis - characterized by the formation of small foci of lipid accumulation. In some cases, the process affects not only the wall, but also the tissues of the extrahepatic ducts.
- The total form of the disease is accompanied by damage to the tissues of the entire bladder, sometimes including extrahepatic ducts.
- Polypous gallbladder cholesterosis - accompanied by the formation of fatty bulges of the wall. It is worth noting that this type of disease requires a more thorough diagnosis, since it is necessary to exclude the likelihood of developing a tumor.
- The mesh form of the disease is accompanied by a thickening of the wall. By the way, polypoid cholesterosis of the gallbladder, as a rule, develops against the background of this particular kind of ailment, so in this case it is appropriate to talk about a mixed type of disease.
Gallbladder Cholesterosis: Symptoms
It is immediately worth noting that in some patients the disease proceeds without any symptoms and is detected by accident. However, other patients present with signs indicating gallbladder cholesterosis. Symptoms are nausea that occurs after eating too fatty foods, as well as aching pain in the right hypochondrium, which can also intensify as a result of errors in nutrition.
Some patients also note dryness and even bitterness in their mouths, which are especially strong in the morning. Stool disorders are also possible - diarrhea is replaced by lingering constipation and vice versa.
With a strong deposition of cholesterol, the symptomatology resembles biliary colic - there is a sharp pain in the right hypochondrium, severe nausea, repeated vomiting, unpleasant bitterness in the mouth, excessive sweating, dizziness, and weakness.
In some cases, along with cholesterosis, there is inflammation of the gallbladder. A similar condition is accompanied by standard signs of cholecystitis. Patients complain of sudden sharp pain, diarrhea, nausea, fever, weakness.
In any case, if there are digestive problems, it is best to consult a doctor immediately. In the initial stages, the disease is much easier and faster to treat.
Modern diagnostic methods
Diagnosis of this disease is a long process, since it is necessary to confirm the presence of cholesterosis, assess the degree of bladder damage and determine the risk factors present. First of all, standard tests are performed - the patient gives blood, urine and feces samples. In addition to microscopic tests, a coprogram is also carried out - a large amount of lipid compounds can be found in feces. A comprehensive biochemical blood test is also mandatory, which makes it possible to evaluate the work of the liver and pancreas.
On the other hand, in cases of suspected cholesterosis, patients are advised to undergo studies of the blood lipid spectrum, which provides valuable information on the presence of malfunctions in fat metabolism.
Ultrasound is another method by which you can diagnose gallbladder cholesterosis. The polypoid form of the disease is clearly visible during the examination. In addition, ultrasound makes it possible to assess the condition of the bile ducts, liver and pancreas.
Gallbladder Cholesterosis: Treatment
When the first symptoms appear, it is best to consult a doctor immediately. Only a specialist can diagnose gallbladder cholesterosis. Treatment in this case is selected individually and includes the use of different drugs.
Of course, for starters, you need to eliminate the main symptoms in order to somehow alleviate the patient's condition. In the presence of severe pain, the patient is prescribed antispasmodic and pain medication. In addition, therapy includes the administration of choleretic drugs or herbal preparations, as well as bile acids (ensures the normalization of the composition of bile).
On the other hand, it is equally important to normalize the digestive process. For this purpose, patients are recommended to take enzyme preparations, as well as pyrokinetics (accelerate the passage of food through the gastrointestinal tract). In some cases, taking anthracite, a medicine that reduces the acidity level of gastric juice, is required. Naturally, it is extremely important to lower the amount of cholesterol - for this purpose, doctors use both medications and a proper diet. Antibacterial drugs are used to prevent inflammation.
In the event that the area of damage to the gallbladder is too large or conservative treatment did not give the desired result, the patient is recommended an operation to completely remove the gallbladder.
Proper diet is the key to a quick recovery
A proper diet is crucial for patients diagnosed with gallbladder cholesterosis . The diet in this case is selected individually, but there are some generally accepted recommendations. To begin with, the patient is transferred to fractional nutrition - food should be consumed often, but in small portions.
Naturally, fatty meats and fish, as well as lard and fried foods, should be excluded from the diet. It is also worth limiting the number of spices, hot spices. Illegal foods include fresh pastries, ice cream, spinach, sorrel, convenience foods, alcoholic drinks, and black coffee.
The diet should consist of cereals, boiled lean meat and fish, vegetable soups, non-acidic vegetables and fruits (fiber is extremely important for the normal functioning of the digestive tract). Vitamin therapy will have a positive effect on the health status - patients are advised to periodically take multivitamin complexes.
What are the complications of cholesterosis?
Of course, in the absence of treatment, gallbladder cholesterosis can lead to a host of unpleasant and even dangerous consequences.
- First of all, the disease affects the state of the gallbladder. Chances of developing gallstone disease or cholecystitis (inflammation) are high. In addition, in some patients there is a gradual accumulation of calcium in the wall of the bladder.
- Gallbladder cholesterosis (polyposis or any other kind of disease) increases the risk of early development of vascular atherosclerosis.
- In some cases, disruption of the gallbladder leads to the development of the so-called malabsorption syndrome, in which the absorption of nutrients and vitamins is impaired. Against the background of this pathology, in turn, the appearance of anemia, hypovitaminosis, skeleton deformation, weight loss and gradual depletion of the body are observed.
Are there effective prevention methods?
Unfortunately, there is no medicine that can permanently protect against such a disease. As for prevention, experts first of all recommend carefully monitoring nutrition. In particular, a proper diet should include foods rich in fiber and exclude spicy, fatty and fried foods. Naturally, it is important to monitor cholesterol levels.
In addition, do not forget that all diseases of the digestive system (in particular, gastritis, cholecystitis, pancreatitis, enterocolitis, gallstone disease) are subject to timely, adequate treatment. And, of course, you need to give up smoking, alcohol abuse and other addictions.