Cholesterosis of the gallbladder

Gallbladder cholesterolosis is a disorder of the gallbladder function associated with poor fat metabolism. This disorder provokes the accumulation of decay products in the walls of the gallbladder.

Most often, this pathology occurs among middle-aged women suffering from atherosclerosis. Cholesterosis is also considered the initial stage of gallstone disease.

The pathology can be asymptomatic for years, but with bile stagnation, painful sensations may occur.

The basis of treatment is proper nutrition, taking choleretic drugs. Herbal medicine, therapeutic gymnastics, physiotherapy procedures, reflexology can be used as an auxiliary therapy.

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Causes of Gallbladder Cholesterosis

The exact cause of the development of cholesterosis is not known, but experts believe that the pathology develops due to a violation of fat metabolism, therefore any disease that leads to an imbalance in the processes of synthesis and breakdown of fats can lead to cholesterosis of the gallbladder.

The development of the disease can be provoked by endocrine disorders, fatty liver, and high cholesterol levels in the lumen of the gallbladder.

Recent studies have shown that the risk of developing cholesterol increases with disruption of the intestinal bacterial flora due to taking antibiotics, as well as with severe disruptions in the functioning of the immune system.

The tendency to develop pathology is observed in people with abdominal obesity, when fat envelops the internal organs.

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Symptoms of Gallbladder Cholesterosis

In some cases, gallbladder cholesterolosis is asymptomatic and can be detected accidentally during an ultrasound examination of the internal organs.

But sometimes, as the disease progresses, nausea occurs after eating food, especially fatty foods, aching pain on the right side, which intensifies when eating smoked, fatty, fried or salty foods.

Some patients noted dry mouth, a feeling of bitterness, especially in the morning.

There are also stool disturbances (constipation alternates with diarrhea and vice versa).

With high levels of cholesterol in the gallbladder, the symptoms of the disease may resemble biliary colic (sharp pain, vomiting, bitterness in the mouth, sweating, weakness, dizziness).

Sometimes cholesterosis occurs simultaneously with inflammation of the gallbladder, resulting in sharp pain on the right side, diarrhea, nausea, high fever, and weakness.

Cholesterosis of the gallbladder walls is usually considered the initial stage of cholelithiasis. The pathological process in the gallbladder itself is an oversaturation of the organ walls with cholesterol. Cholesterosis of the gallbladder in most cases occurs without pronounced symptoms for a long time (sometimes a person does not suspect the disorder for years).

With stagnant processes in the gallbladder, pain appears on the right side. A constant diet, a healthy lifestyle and taking choleretic drugs will help slow down the development of the disease.

Polypoid cholesterosis of the gallbladder is characterized by the formation of polyps (fatty protrusions). Cholesterol polyps usually appear in the acalculous form of the disease. The most effective method for diagnosing this form of cholesterosis is an ultrasound examination, which clearly shows changes in the structure of the gallbladder walls.

Focal cholesterosis of the gallbladder is characterized by the appearance of a mesh on the mucous membrane; a separate section of the wall is affected, most often in the neck area.

In the focal form, fibrosis of the villi, inflammatory-sclerotic changes, and dystrophic changes in foam cells are most pronounced.

Diagnosis of cholesterosis of the gallbladder

Diagnosis is complicated by the lack of clear clinical manifestations of the disease. The main method of detecting pathology is ultrasound examination.

In diffuse lesions, unevenness and thickening appear on the gallbladder walls, and parietal cholesterol formations are also noticeable. In focal lesions, thickening and fatty spots appear on individual sections of the bladder wall.

Gallbladder cholesterolosis leads to an increase in the level of lipids and plasma cholesterol in the blood, and an increase in liver transaminases is also possible.

In addition to ultrasound examination, MRI of internal organs is used to detect cholesterolosis.

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Treatment of gallbladder cholesterolosis

Today, a wait-and-see approach is used to treat cholesterosis, based on monitoring the organ's mucous membrane (ultrasound every six months). The specialist analyzes changes in the gallbladder walls, studies the nature of neoplasms, etc.

After this, the doctor determines the treatment method – surgical or conservative.

In conservative treatment, the main focus is on dietary nutrition with a large amount of fiber and vegetable oils. Taking choleretic drugs allows you to establish the motor-evacuation function, improve the composition of bile.

Usually Liobil, Henochol, and Cholenzym are prescribed for these purposes.

Also prescribed are bile acid preparations (Henofalk, Ursofalk), which help reduce cholesterol levels in bile, and drugs to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood.

Surgery to remove the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) is prescribed for severe disorders of the organ, concomitant diseases (cholelithiasis), and multiple lesions of the gallbladder.

Recently, laparoscopy has been used to remove the affected organ - a more modern and less traumatic method of surgical intervention.

After the operation, the patient must adhere to a strict diet for the rest of his life.

Cholesterosis of the gallbladder requires constant adherence to a diet, it is advisable to eat fractionally (small portions 5-6 times a day) to avoid bile stagnation.

Before going to bed, it is better to skip dinner and drink some kefir or compote.

In case of stagnation in the gallbladder and increased risk of stone formation, it is recommended to take a course of medicinal herbs that promote the removal of bile (birch, immortelle, mint, tansy, calamus, rose hips, yarrow).

It is recommended to drink mineral waters (Jermuk, Naftusya, Essentuki-17, Essentuki-4) 2-4 times a year for a month. It is better to warm up the water before drinking, drink half an hour before meals.

Diet for gallbladder cholesterolosis

In case of cholesterosis, fatty meat, baked goods, alcoholic beverages, hot spices, broths (meat, mushroom, fish), canned food, coffee, chocolate, cocoa, eggs (except protein omelets), fatty milk, cottage cheese, sour cream are removed from the diet.

Sea fish and seafood have great benefits and nutritional value when it comes to illness.

Recommended foods are those rich in lipotropic substances (promote fat burning) – cod, dairy products, soy, beef, chicken eggs.

Gallbladder cholesterol causes inflammation of the organ, so it is extremely important to eat foods that do not require a lot of bile to digest food.

When you are sick, salads made from fresh vegetables, fruits, and zucchini caviar are useful.

The main condition of the therapeutic diet for cholesterosis is the diet - eat at the same time in small portions 5-6 times a day, for dinner it is better to eat a light salad or drink a glass of kefir, yogurt. The food should be warm and preferably freshly prepared (it is better to steam or boil).

Cholesterol is excreted not only through bile, but also through feces, so it is recommended to add foods to your diet that improve bowel function (seaweed, porridge).

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Prognosis and prevention

Gallbladder cholesterolosis has a positive prognosis in most cases. A prerequisite for successful treatment is timely diagnosis, proper therapy, and a healthy lifestyle. It is especially important to follow a special diet for this disease, which is considered the basis of conservative treatment.

To prevent the disease, you should follow a diet rich in plant fibers, oils, and polyunsaturated amino acids.

Gallbladder cholesterolosis is a consequence of severe disturbance of fat metabolism in the body, which leads to accumulation of cholesterol in the walls of the organ. The disease can proceed asymptomatically for several years and eventually lead to gallstone disease.