Biliary Colic
What
is it?
Biliary
colic is a condition characterized by extreme
cramping pain in the right upper abdomen.
Gallstones in the gallbladder (small, pear-shaped
sac under the liver that stores bile), or in the
bile ducts (small tubes that drain bile from the
liver into the gallbladder and small intestines)
are the cause of the severe pain.
Who
gets it?
About
one third of patients with gallstones develop
biliary colic or other complications. People who
are overweight or have a high level of blood
cholesterol increase their risk of developing
gallstones and biliary colic. Pregnant women, or
those on birth control pills or estrogen
replacement therapy also have a greater risk of
developing biliary colic. Other risk factors
include rapid weight loss, diabetes, certain
gastrointestinal conditions and certain
medications.
What
causes it?
Biliary
colic is caused by gallstones that form in the
gallbladder or bile ducts. Gallstones form when
bile, a substance made in the liver to help digest
fats, contains too much cholesterol. A solid
particle forms and becomes a gallstone.
What
are the symptoms?
Biliary
colic can cause extreme pain in the upper right
abdomen and nausea, especially after eating a meal
high in fat. The condition can also cause jaundice
in the skin and eyes. The pain can last up to
three hours and sometimes spreads to the right
shoulder or through the center of the back. Fatty
food intolerance, dyspepsia, indigestion,
heartburn, flatulence and eructation are other
symptoms associated with gallstone disease.
Attacks of biliary colic are more common at night,
possibly because the gallbladder shifts to a
horizontal position, making it easier for stones
to enter into the cystic duct.
How is
it diagnosed?
A
doctor may review the patient’s symptoms, ask
about medical history and perform a thorough
examination to diagnose biliary colic. The doctor
may also order tests such as an ultrasound to view
the internal organs of the body. An HIDA scan and
a CT scan may be used to locate gallstones. A
special type of x-ray called a cholecystography
may be performed to allow the doctor to see the
gallbladder clearly.
What
is the treatment?
To
treat biliary colic the doctor may prescribe pain
relievers and recommend a low-fat diet. Because
seventy percent of patients with biliary colic
will have a second episode, the doctor will
probably recommend that gallstones be removed
surgically. In severe cases, the entire
gallbladder may need to be removed.
Other
options may be considered if the patient has
another medical condition that precludes surgery.
In these cases, the doctor may try to dissolve the
stones with medication or use a lithotripsy to try
to break up the stones with focused sound waves.
Self-care tips
Patients diagnosed with biliary colic should try
to maintain their ideal weight and eat healthy
foods high in fiber. If the patient has gallstones
or biliary colic and is taking birth control
pills, another method of birth control may be
recommended.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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