Groshan Fabiola

Gall bladder disease has a very high incidence among the population of the United States. There are various causes of gall bladder disease, ranging from inappropriate nutrition to physiological dysfunctions at the level of the biliary system. However, most cases of gall bladder disease occur due to interaction between congenital physiological predispositions and chemical imbalances in the composition of bile, resulting in the formation and deposition of gall stones inside the gall bladder and bile ducts.

Recent statistics indicate that there are more than 18 million people confronted with gallstones problems in the United States. Studies reveal that 1 in 12 Americans suffers from gall bladder disease as a result of gallstones. Such affections of the biliary system are mostly common among people with ages over 50 and they are predominantly seen in women. Gall bladder disease caused by the accumulation of gallstones accounts for up to 800.000 hospitalizations each year. Among patients diagnosed with gall bladder disease, an estimated number of 500.000 eventually require cholecystectomy.

Gall bladder disease is known as a surgical disorder. Although in its early stages gall bladder disease can be treated with specific medications, advanced forms of the disorder require surgical treatment. The most common surgical procedure in gall bladder disease is cholecystectomy, surgery that involves complete removal of the affected organ. Cholecystectomy is considered to be a routine surgical procedure that involves very few risks. This form of treatment is recommended for patients with complicated forms of gall bladder disease and it is commonly performed on patients who suffer from advanced biliary system disorders caused by gallstones. Once formed, gallstones are difficult to eliminate with medication treatments, especially in advanced stages of the disease. Thus, doctors recommend cholecystectomy to most patients confronted with gallstones.

Although cholecystectomy can effectively overcome gall bladder disease, also relieving its generated symptoms, operated patients remain with serious sequelae due to removal of the organ. Most patients suffer permanent impairments of the digestive system as a consequence of cholecystectomy, developing various disorders as a result of poor digestion. The gall bladder is a vital organ with a very important role in the digestion of fat and fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. The absence of the gall bladder affects not only the process of food digestion, but a wide range of other internal processes as well. In time, patients who have suffered cholecystectomy are exposed to a high risk of developing heart disease, diabetes and disorders of the nervous system. This is due to inappropriate synthesis and assimilation of vital nutrients, vitamins and minerals.

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In order to prevent the occurrence of serious post-cholecystectomy side-effects, operated patients need to make drastic lifestyle and dietary changes. They should limit the intake of saturated fat and avoid the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Also, they should eat smaller amounts of food during a single meal. People who have had gall bladder removal surgery are advised to eat around 5 or 6 smaller meals a day instead of 2 or 3 usual meals. Considering the fact that the organism is unable to completely absorb important nutrients without the help of the gall bladder, operated patients also need to take vitamin and mineral supplements and bile salts to aid the process of digestion.

Cholecystectomy has various disadvantages, generating long-term or even permanent undesirable effects in operated patients. Thus, gall bladder removal surgery is recommended only to people with serious forms of gall bladder disease.