Gall Bladder

Function:

• Bile Storage:
  • The gallbladder primarily stores bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver.
  • It concentrates this bile, making it more potent for fat digestion.
• Bile Release:
  • When one eats, especially fatty foods, the gallbladder contracts and releases bile into the small intestine (duodenum).
  • Bile helps emulsify fats, breaking them down into smaller droplets that are easier for the body to absorb.

Key Points:

• Location:
  • It's situated in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, nestled under the liver.
• Bile's Composition:
  • Bile contains cholesterol, bile salts, bilirubin, and other substances.
• Common Issues:
  • Gallstones: Hardened deposits of bile that can cause pain and complications.
  • Cholecystitis: Inflammation of the gallbladder, often caused by gallstones.

Gallstones:

• These can range in size from tiny grains of sand to golf balls.
• They may cause no symptoms, or they can lead to severe pain, nausea, and other problems.

While gallbladder dysfunction primarily manifests with abdominal symptoms, it can indirectly lead to eye-related signs, most notably through jaundice. Here's how:  

• Jaundice:
  • This is the most significant eye manifestation linked to gallbladder problems.
  • When the gallbladder or bile ducts are blocked (often by gallstones), bile can't flow properly.  
     
  • This leads to a buildup of bilirubin in the bloodstream.  
     
  • Bilirubin is a yellow pigment, and its accumulation causes the whites of the eyes (sclera) to turn yellow.  
     
  • This yellowing is a clear sign of jaundice, which can result from gallbladder issues.  
     

It's important to understand that:

• Direct, isolated eye problems are not typically caused by gallbladder dysfunction.
• The eye-related sign (jaundice) arises from a systemic issue (bile buildup) due to the gallbladder problem.  
   

When to seek medical help and ASAP!:

• If one is experiencing severe abdominal pain, especially in the upper right quadrant.
• If one has jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes).
• If one has a high fever with chills.