Do people need their gallbladder?

Fortunately, the gallbladder is an organ people can live without. Your liver produces enough bile to digest a normal diet. Once the gallbladder is removed, bile flows out of the liver through the hepatic ducts into the common bile duct and directly into the small intestine, instead of being stored in the gallbladder. Because now the bile flows into the small intestine more often, softer and more frequent stools can occur in about 1 percent of people. These changes are usually temporary, but talk with your health care provider if they persist.

Points to Remember:-

• Gallstones form when bile hardens in the gallbladder.
• allstones are more common among older adults; women; American Indians; Mexican Americans; people with diabetes; those with a family history of gallstones; people who gaare overweight, obese, or undergo rapid weight loss; and those taking cholesterol-lowering drugs.
• Gallbladder attacks often occur after eating a meal, especially one high in fat.
• Symptoms can mimic those of other problems, including a heart attack, so an accurate diagnosis is important.
• Gallstones can cause serious problems if they become trapped in the bile ducts.
• Laparoscopic surgery to remove the gallbladder is the most common treatment.