What Is A Bile Duct?

Although it may not have the prettiest of names, the bile duct plays an essential role in the working of a healthy body. Here is how these bile ducts help us in our everyday digestion.

Bile Duct At Work

Bile is a chemical made in the liver, which aids in the digestion of food. The liver excretes the bile along a hepatic duct which then joins with the cystic duct. From there the bile is transferred into the gallbladder and then on into the intestines. This routing of the bile travels through what is called the common bile duct.

Where Is It?

The top half of the common bile duct is located within the liver. This is the beginning of the tubes that carry the bile through the other organs on its way to the intestines.

What Diseases Afflict The Bile Duct?

Like any other part of the body, the bile duct can be afflicted by certain ailments and diseases. While there are not very many of them, they can be quite serious if not taken care of.

Gallstones

The first of these ailments is called gallstones. A gallstone is a small pebble-like stone made out of deposits in the gallbladder. They can become lodged within the bile duct and cause blockage, inflammation, and severe pain. A person with gallstones can wait for the stone to pass through which will then require no other medical intervention. Many times, though, surgery is required to remove the gallbladder.

Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

This is a rather uncommon and rare condition that leads to scarring of the bile ducts. It can create an ongoing inflammation of the bile duct which will narrow the duct walls and cause them to scar. It is prevalent in women and young children.

Bile Duct Cancer

This type of cancer can happen in any part of the bile duct as it goes from the liver to the intestines. It is usually divided into three groups. Depending on the location of cancer, it may have different symptoms.

• Intrahepatic bile duct cancer – This type of cancer forms in the small ducts of the liver. It can be treated in much the same way as some liver cancers. This is a rare form of bile duct cancer and only happens in one out of ten cases.
• Hilar cancer – This is the most common type of bile duct cancer and usually forms in the area where the duct leaves the liver.

Most of the bile duct cancers are usually a form of cancer called Adenocarcinomas. These are cancers of glandular cells that can develop in several organs of the body. In the bile duct, they form from the mucus that lines the wall of the ducts themselves.

Symptoms of Gallbladder Disease

There are a variety of symptoms that can occur if you have an inflamed gallbladder or gallstones. Right side abdomen pain is often a symptom, and some people may have pain that radiates into their back as well. Nausea and vomiting may occur, you may not be able to tolerate fatty foods, and you may lose your appetite as well. Most people report that the pain with gallbladder problems is severe, so finding gallbladder relief is definitely a priority.

The Causes

So what causes this problem to occur? Often gallbladder attacks are caused by inflammation. In many cases, the inflammation is a result of a stone blocking a duct. Women are more likely to develop gallstones, and those who have had multiple children and those on hormone replacement therapies have even higher risks. People who are overweight or who have lost weight and quickly gained it back can be at high risk for gallstones too.

Treatment for Gallbladder Relief

There are a variety of treatment options available for gallbladder relief. In many cases, if you have a gallbladder that is severely inflamed, infected, or has many gallstones, a doctor may decide that you need to have your gallbladder removed. However, today this surgery is often done with a laparoscope, which means there are only small incisions and minimal hospital time required. In some cases, doctors may try to dissolve stones to avoid surgery using medications or shock wave therapy.

There are a variety of alternative treatments available today for gallbladder relief as well. Eliminating fatty foods from your diet and increasing healthy options like foods high in fiber and those high in antioxidants can often be very helpful. Light exercise may provide some relief. Some claim that certain herbs like turmeric, milk thistle, green tea, and globe artichoke may help detoxify the gallbladder.

Of course, when you are looking for gallbladder relief, remember that this can be a serious problem. If pain is severe or you are having gallbladder attacks on a regular basis, seeing your medical professional or seeking emergency medical help is definitely recommended.