Biliary Dyskinesia:
"Low-Functioning Gallbladder"
Biliary dyskinesia is a gallbladder condition in which the gallbladder has a lower-than-normal function (below 33%). It is classified as a motility disorder that affects the gallbladder and the sphincter of Oddi.
It is also called acalculus gallbladder disease, which means a problem with the gallbladder in the absence of gallstones. Other terms are functional gallbladder disorder or impaired gallbladder emptying.
Biliary Dyskinesia is frequent in children complaining of biliary colic – upper right abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and intolerance to fatty foods. However, it often goes undiagnosed.
Symptoms Of Biliary Dyskinesia
- gallbladder attacks in the absence of gallstones
- right upper abdominal pain after eating
- gas, bloating, burping, nausea, vomiting, fat intolerance, and any or all other symptoms of gallbladder disease and colic
Diagnosis Of Biliary Dyskinesia
To be diagnosed with Biliary Dyskinesia, the patient must have no stones, no sludge, no microlithiasis (tiny stones), and no thickening of the gallbladder wall. However, there is some consensus that a low-functioning gallbladder can contribute to the formation of gallstones as the bile is allowed to stagnate within the gallbladder.
Diagnosis is made via a HIDA scan. HIDA stands for hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid scan, also called cholescintigraphy or hepatobiliary scintigraphy. A radioactive dye is used to follow the bile path from the liver into the gallbladder and from the gallbladder to the small intestine.
A measurement is made of the amount of bile ejected from the gallbladder when induced with CCK (gallbladder stimulating hormone). A healthy gallbladder never ejects 100% of its bile; in fact, over 75% ejection is considered a pathology called biliary hyperkinesia. A normal ejection fraction is between 33-42%. A low ejection fraction would be 32% or lower. Interestingly, people with a 16% ejection fraction can experience more symptoms than someone with 3% or 0%.
Causes Of A low-functioning Gallbladder
- chronic, ongoing inflammation causes gallbladder wall thickening, which is less efficient at contraction
- stress
- hypothyroidism
Natural Support For Biliary Dyskinesia
- Checking thyroid function with a functional doctor and getting thyroid treatment, if called for, may help to increase gallbladder functioning. Learn about the connection between hypothyroidism and gallbladder disease.
- Reducing stress, including herbal muscle relaxants
- Coffee enemas for stimulating the vagus nerve
- The Gallbladder Starter Kit for thinning and moving the bile, supporting digestion and biliary flow along with following a Healthy Gallbladder Diet
Hyperkinetic Biliary Dyskinesia, Or Biliary Hyperkinesia
A hyperkinetic gallbladder is a motility disorder in the opposite direction activity of biliary dyskinesia - one that is overactive. Symptoms of biliary hyperkinesia can be a cause of pain and attacks. They may include any or all signs of biliary colic - pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, especially after a meal, nausea, vomiting, bloating, fatty food intolerance, and the main differential – in the absence of gallstones. An ejection fraction of over 75% (some say 65%) determines this diagnosis.
Causes Of Biliary Hyperkinesia
Essentially the gallbladder is hyper-functioning and perhaps going into spasms. Some studies have shown increased receptor sites to cholecystokinin or CCK, which is the hormone that causes gallbladder contraction. They also hypothesize increased secretion of CCK.
The standard medical treatment for biliary hyperkinesia at the moment is laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Natural support methods include anti-spasmodic herbs such as cramp bark, castor oil packs for reducing inflammation, stress support including B vitamins, adaptogenic herbs, and herbs with natural relaxant properties.
Stress Support Kit
Stress may be a large contributor to digestive issues, including for people with biliary dyskinesia. Don’t let stress dampen your meal times. For people who could use some support to manage their biliary dyskinesia and to have the energy they need to make it through the day, get the Stress Support Kit.
Gallbladder Attack Diet: 30-Day Menu Plan
When everything you eat causes pain, it's time to reset your diet with gallbladder safe foods. Download this 30-Day Menu Plan to know exactly what foods to eat at what time of day, and give your body the rest and support it needs to break the cycle of gallbladder pain. This diet is suitable for patients with biliary dyskinesia as well as gallstones.
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