How Well Do You Know Your Gallbladder?

The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located on the underside of the liver. It stores bile, a fluid that helps digest fats. The gallbladder contracts when you eat something fatty, releasing bile into the small intestine.

Here are some interesting facts about the gallbladder:

* The gallbladder is about the size of a golf ball.

* It can store up to 50 milliliters of bile.

* The gallbladder is not essential for life. People who have their gallbladder removed can still digest food normally.

* Gallstones are the most common gallbladder problem. Gallstones are hard, crystallized deposits of bile that can cause pain, inflammation, and infection.

* Other gallbladder problems include cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder) and cholangitis (inflammation of the bile ducts).

* Gallbladder problems are more common in people who are overweight, have high cholesterol, or have diabetes.

* Most gallbladder problems can be treated with medication, surgery, or lifestyle changes.

Here are some tips to help keep your gallbladder healthy:

* Maintain a healthy weight.

* Eat a diet low in fat and cholesterol.

* Exercise regularly.

* Drink plenty of fluids.

* Avoid smoking.

* Manage your diabetes.

If you have any of the symptoms of gallbladder problems, such as abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting, see your doctor right away.