Symptoms of a burst gallbladder occur in the event of a rupture of its wall, which results in the appearance of many serious symptoms that must be consulted immediately if you feel them, as the matter causes a severe threat to life and may even lead to death in the event of no immediate medical intervention as a result of blood poisoning. This occurs as a result of many factors, including inflammation of the gallbladder and the presence of stones in it for a long time without treatment or a direct accident, but this is rare, and we will tell you more about the symptoms of a burst gallbladder in detail.
أعراض انفجار المرارة
There are many different symptoms that occur in the event of a gallbladder burst, and among these symptoms are the following:
- Feeling a strong, sharp pain that occurs suddenly in the abdominal area. This pain lasts for a while, and the feeling increases as the amount of tear in the wall increases. This pain extends to the shoulder or upper back if the main cause of the explosion is gallstones.
- Feeling a burning sensation in the stomach and difficulty distinguishing between heartburn and indigestion.
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes, or what is medically called “jaundice,” occurs as a result of the accumulation of bilirubin in the body.
- Vomiting and feeling nauseous.
- A severe rise in body temperature and fever in the event of a bacterial infection resulting from leakage of fluids inside the gallbladder.
- Increased number of white blood cells.
- Digestive disorders and a constant feeling of fullness, as well as abdominal bloating and increased belching.
- Sepsis: This occurs as a result of neglecting the previous symptoms and not visiting a doctor immediately, which leads to systemic inflammatory response syndrome, which is serious and life-threatening.
قد يهمك ايضًا: اسباب تضخم المراره وطرق العلاج المستخدمة
Does burst gallbladder lead to death?
Unfortunately, a burst gallbladder may lead to death, but in certain cases, with negligence or failure to deal with the patient quickly, when the gallbladder bursts, bile begins to flow into the abdominal cavity, causing severe infections.
If surgical intervention is not carried out quickly, there is a serious risk to the patient’s life. Therefore, in the event of suspicion that the gallbladder has burst, you must immediately go to the nearest hospital for emergency treatment to save the patient’s life.
How can a burst gallbladder be diagnosed?
A burst gallbladder is considered a medical condition that requires immediate intervention. When you notice the symptoms we mentioned previously, it is important that you go to a specialist doctor immediately, to obtain the appropriate diagnosis and treatment. It should be noted that delay in treatment may lead to serious complications such as peritonitis or organ failure.
The case of a burst gallbladder is diagnosed by conducting a clinical examination, by conducting a comprehensive physical examination of the patient. The doctor focuses on the upper right abdominal area, to confirm the presence of pain, and monitor other symptoms such as fever, chills, and inflammation.
Laboratory tests are performed by drawing blood samples for analysis, looking for signs of inflammation and infection such as an increase in white blood cells, and the doctor measures the levels of liver enzymes.
An ultrasound or CT scan is performed to determine the presence of any fluid leaking in the gallbladder or the presence of stones. The imaging confirms the diagnosis and thus plans the appropriate treatment. The doctor also resorts to performing a laparoscopy, which allows the gallbladder to be viewed directly, and thus the final diagnosis.
تعرف ايضًا علي : اسباب تكون حصوات المرارة
How can I prevent gallbladder burst?
There are many ways to prevent gallbladder explosion, which are explained as follows:
- Maintaining a normal weight, which is important, contributes to the formation of gallstones. Excessive weight gain increases the risk of developing stones.
- Make sure to avoid fatty and fried foods, which increase the size of the gallbladder.
- Eat foods rich in dietary fiber that help prevent stone formation, such as eating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Drink a sufficient amount of water, which helps reduce the density of fluids in the gallbladder, which reduces the formation of stones.
- You should refrain from smoking, as smoking increases the risk of forming gallstones.
Causes of gallbladder explosion
You must be aware of the reasons that lead to gallbladder explosion, and these reasons are as follows:
- Formation of gallstones, which may be the main cause of gallbladder explosion. These stones are composed of bile and cholesterol, and when the stones grow larger, they lead to gallbladder explosion.
- Acute or chronic cholecystitis increases the risk of gallbladder explosion.
- Injuries to the abdominal area may lead to gallbladder explosion, especially if gallstones are present.
- Hormonal changes during pregnancy and childbirth lead to the formation of gallstones, which increases the risk of gallbladder explosion during or after childbirth.
- Excessive obesity also increases the risk of forming gallstones and thus the possibility of gallbladder explosion.
You may also be interested in: Does gallbladder cause congestion in the chest?
Methods of treating a burst gallbladder
In the case of a burst gallbladder problem, the best treatment is surgery to remove the gallbladder. This is done through laparoscopy, and this procedure helps in recovering from the problem. Doctors advise that you should go to the doctor if symptoms of a burst gallbladder appear so as not to make the matter more serious and lead to unnecessary complications.
Complications of gallbladder burst
Complications of a burst gallbladder are serious and can threaten the patient's life if treatment is not done immediately. These complications are as follows:
- Biliary peritonitis is one of the most dangerous infections, as bile contaminated with bacteria spreads into the abdominal cavity, causing severe inflammation of the internal membranes.
- The infection at the blast site spreads to the bloodstream, leading to failure of vital body organs.
- Pus-filled sinuses form due to infection, which needs to be drained surgically.
- Chronic inflammation of the tissues surrounding the ruptured gallbladder.
Book your consultation now at مركز أمراض الجهاز الهضمي At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital.
Methods of removing the gallbladder
There are two methods of removing the gallbladder, and the doctor usually chooses between them according to the patient’s condition, which are:
- Surgical cholecystectomy:
This method relies on making a large surgical incision in the upper abdomen to access and remove the gallbladder. This method is used in more complex cases or with severe adhesions, but recovery from it may take a long time with a larger scar appearing from laparoscopic surgery. - Laparoscopic cholecystectomy:
This method is considered one of the most accurate methods of removing the gallbladder. It relies on inserting very small tools and an internal camera through small incisions in the abdomen. The gallbladder is then removed using a fine laparoscope without pain. One of its most important advantages is that it does not cause severe pain like surgery and recovery from it is quick.
Frequently asked questions
When are gallbladder symptoms serious?
Symptoms of gallbladder become serious when the patient develops high fever and chills with yellowing of the eyes and skin, also when the pain in the upper abdomen intensifies and extends to the shoulder or back, and is exposed to persistent nausea and vomiting with difficulty breathing.
How do I know that gallstones have occurred?
There are some signs that indicate the occurrence of gallstones, such as the return of the normal color of urine and stool, with the excretion of solid objects resembling pebbles in the stool, and the disappearance of annoying symptoms such as the disappearance of pain and biliary colic. To confirm the occurrence of gallstones, you must consult a specialist doctor.
Can gallbladder surgery be postponed?
No, it is better not to postpone gallbladder surgery, especially if the doctor insists on performing the operation quickly so as not to be exposed to serious complications such as obstruction of the bile ducts or bursting of the gallbladder.
How long can you live with a non-functioning gallbladder?
It is not possible to specify a specific time for living with a non-functioning gallbladder, as cases vary greatly depending on the general health condition and other factors. It is best to ask the doctor about the seriousness of the condition and how to live with the symptoms without exposure to possible complications.
The sooner the diagnosis is made and the problem of a burst gallbladder is treated as soon as the symptoms of a burst gallbladder appear, the fewer the complications and the greater the chances of a complete recovery. Therefore, be sure to go to the Al Mousa Specialist Hospital For immediate diagnosis and initiation of treatment.
The article was reviewed by Dr.
Medical sources
This information was based on: