Diabetes and gallbladder problems connections

The evidence that people with diabetes are at greater risk of gallstones is clear, but no specific cause is known. Perhaps it is because people with diabetes are generally overweight and obesity is linked to gallstone disease.

One theory is, people with diabetes have higher levels of triglycerides (a type of fat) and triglycerides themselves encourage gallstone formation.

Another theory is that stones form because of what is called autonomic neuropathy or damage from diabetes to the involuntary nerves that control movement of the bowels and gallbladder.

Hence, the bile stored in the gallbladder is not released efficiently because the nerves are damaged and gallstones form from the resulting sludge.

For a person living with diabetes, controlling the disease is the way to head off gallbladder problems. When diabetes is under control, it is much less likely that autonomic neuropathy will become an issue, and your triglyceride levels will be lower — thus decreasing your odds of developing gallstones. So common sense says that people with diabetes should be more aware of gallstone symptoms.

In many people, gallbladder attacks may occur, especially after consuming a fat-laden meal. Symptoms of a gallbladder attack may include:

•             Sudden pain in the right upper abdomen that can last several hours

•             Pain between the shoulder blades or under the right shoulder

•             Abdominal pain centered on the right side that gets worse after eating

•             Unexplained nausea or vomiting

Therefore, a person with diabetes, is more likely to have gallbladder problems — but there are ways to lower this risk.

A management plan should address food intake, exercise, medications and daily monitoring of blood sugar levels. Controlling blood glucose levels should not only help to feel better in general, but it may also delay the onset of complications often associated with diabetes, including gallbladder problems.

In most cases when gallstones are problematic for people with diabetes is the best course of action is to visit a surgeon to remove the gallbladder.

In general, whether they have diabetes or not, most people can avoid gallbladder problems by eating a consistently balanced diet, getting enough exercise and managing their overall health.

The writer is a General and Laparoscopic Surgery at United Hospital Limited, Dhaka.

E-mail: anisurgeneral@gmail.com