Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Kidney Health Part 1 Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND No conversation about the liver would be complete without talking about the kidneys since one of the functions of the kidneys is to help remove waste from our body. Now I understand that kidney health can be …
Prozyme Digest Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND As a Naturopathic doctor I find myself often recommending that people use a probiotic and a digestive enzyme. These each have many benefits for our health. That is why I have chosen to highlight a product that contains …
Gallbladder: What is it? And what does it do?
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
In this current series we have mostly focused on liver and kidney health. In this blog we will be taking a left turn and focusing on the gallbladder since the overall health of the gallbladder can and does impact the health of the liver. But just what is the gallbladder and what does it even do for us? Let us get into it shall we?
Well, the gallbladder is a small organ that is located under the liver. It is like a pear-shaped balloon. Its job in the body is to store bile and release it when needed. The bile gets is made in the liver and is only stored in the gallbladder.
So how exactly does this process work? Well to put it simply the gallbladder connects to the various parts of your digestive system via the biliary tract (also called bile ducts). You can think of this pathway as a highway for bile to travel. Our liver produces bile and then it goes into the gallbladder for use later. When you eat the gallbladder gets a message to release the bile. Bile travels via the biliary tract to eventually end up in the duodenum where it helps to digest any fats you may have consumed. (1)
I bet I know what you are thinking, this process seems like such a simple system. What could go wrong? I am glad you asked! The first thing is you may form gallstones. Gallstones are like little rocks of bile that form either in the gallbladder or in the bile tract (bile duct).
Depending on the number of stones and how large they are they may or may not cause symptoms. A large stone can block the biliary tract causing a problem because of the regurgitation of the bile. For example, you may have cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation), pancreatitis (inflamed pancreases) and cholangitis (bile duct inflammation). Gallstones also increase the risk of hepatitis (inflamed liver). For more information, please see my blog on this topic. Gallstones can also increase the risk of both jaundice and septicemia. (1)
Now what are the signs of gallbladder concerns? Well, you may have upper abdominal pain and nausea. You may have sweating, fever, and a rapid heart rate. Your abdomen may even swell and feel tender. You may have jaundice and even change the color of your urine/stool. (2) The abdominal muscles on the right side of the body may be stiff. Older individuals may have overall weakness and even increased fatigue. (3) Other signs can include pain after eating a fatty meal. The upper right abdominal pain may radiate to the right shoulder/ back. In addition to the fever, you may have chills. (1) If these sound like the signs and symptoms of hepatitis that is because they are. Remember as I said in my blog on hepatitis it is inflammation in the liver and when you have any inflammation in the gallbladder it increases the risk of inflammation in the liver.
Now what are the most common risk factors for gallbladder concerns? Well, these include being female, being over 40 y/o and being of Hispanic or Native American descent. Pregnancy is also a risk factor. Having high cholesterol, diabetes or obesity are all risk factors. Interestingly losing weight rapidly is also a risk factor. (3)
Gallbladder dysfunction may require surgery. Talk to your doctor about the different options. As for supplements, let us review our options, shall we?
Our product highlight will be Prozyme Digest!
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PRIMARY FOOD, LIFESTYLE AND OUR HEALTH~HOME COOKING by: Allie Might, FMC, INHC, ATT What if I told you that there is a secret to reducing calories, eating better and even reducing the risk of heart disease, obesity, and diabetes? Well, the secret is simple, …
Hepatitis Part 2
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
In our last blog on this topic, we began with some background information such as just what is hepatitis? What causes hepatitis? And what are the symptoms you might experience with hepatitis? If you haven’t read the first part of this 2-part blog series on hepatitis I’d suggest reading that part first. So, moving on let’s get into important lab testing.
What lab tests can help to rule out or even diagnosis hepatitis? To start with your doctor will perform a physical exam. This may include pressing against your abdomen to determine if there is any swelling or pain in the liver. The doctor will also check for any signs of jaundice. In addition to a physical exam the doctor will ask important questions about our health, including your alcohol intake. Blood tests can help evaluate liver function and even determine if there is an infection. (1) Blood work can help differentiate between alcohol induced hepatitis and other types of hepatitis because in alcohol induced hepatitis there is usually an elevation of AST and ALT is normal. This is the opposite of other liver disorders. Another blood test for alcohol induced hepatitis is carbohydrate- deficient transferrin. The latest studies have found that CRP is a good marker of alcohol induced hepatitis. (2) An ultrasound can help confirm if the liver is showing signs of inflammation. There are some doctors who will suggest transient elastography which is an advanced imaging test. Other tests the doctor may recommend include an MRI, CT scan and liver biopsy. (1) As a PSA I want to emphasize how important it is to be honest about your alcohol intake. Being honest will help to narrow down what is going on and lead to the correct diagnosis and even treatment faster. At the end of the day your doctor wants to help you. Being honest helps give them the tools they need to do so.
Moving on, what are the risk factors for developing hepatitis? The risk factors for developing hepatitis include exposure to the virus. Alcohol induced hepatitis can be a result of long-term exposure to alcohol or heavy alcohol intake. For more information on how one can become infected with Hep A, B, C please see Allie Might’s blog “Hepatitis – The types, the support and can it be prevented?” General health risks that increase the risk of developing hepatitis include not being vaccinated, having a virus associated with hepatitis (for example EBV), having an autoimmune disorder, or being born to a mother who has contracted viral hepatitis. Remember only viral hepatitis is contagious since it’s actually the virus that then triggers the hepatitis that is spread and not the actual diagnosis of hepatitis or liver inflammation. In addition to viral and alcohol exposure other risk factors can include working around chemicals, drinking or eating unsafe food and even taking certain medications. (3) Risk factors for hepatitis can also include having hyperlipidemia, being overweight or obese and even having high blood sugar. Lastly, having high blood pressure is also a risk. (4)
There can be some dangerous complications, so I’ll review those right now. Hepatitis can lead to portal hypertension which can lead to enlarged veins. These enlarged veins (varices) can eventually rupture and can cause dangerous bleeding. Long term hepatitis can also lead to cirrhosis. Please see my 2-part blog series on this topic for more information! Chronic hepatitis can also lead to liver cancer and even liver failure. (4)
So what can you do to help reduce the risk of hepatitis?
Our product highlight will be Colon Hx!
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