E2-Gallbladder Patho Flashcards
What is cholelithiasis?
Stones in the gallbladder
Etiology of cholelithiasis
-Impaired metabolism of cholesterol, bilirubin, and bile acids
How do gallstones form?
Bile stasis causes concentration and precipitation of gallbladder contents
70% of gallstones are what type?
Cholesterol
(other 2 are pigmented & mixed)
Risk factors for cholelithiasis?
“Fair, fat, & 40”
-Obesity
-Females
-Middle age (40)
-Use of oral contraceptives
-Rapid wt loss
-Indigenous American ethinicity (60-70%)
-Genetic predisposition
-Pancreatic or ileal disease
-Common in developed countries
S/S of cholelithiasis
-Usually asymptomatic
-Epigastric & right quadrant pain (if lodged in duct or contraction)
-Vague S/S
Heartburn
Flatulence
Epigastric discomfort
Food intolerances (fats & cabbage)
-Biliary colic
-Jaundice
What is biliary colic?
occurs 30 minutes after eating fatty meals (fast food)
Severity of cholelithiasis depends on
-Movement of stones
-Obstruction
-How many
Obstructed bile flow manifestations:
-Jaundice
-Dark amber urine that foams when shaken
-Clay colored stool
-Steatorrhea
-Pruritis
-Intolerance to fatty foods
-Bleeding tendencies
Why does obstructed bile flow cause jaundice?
Bile can’t flow into duodenum
Why does obstructed bile flow cause dark amber urine that foams?
Soluble Bilirubin in urine
Why does obstructed bile flow cause clay colored stool?
Bilirubin does not reach small intestine to be converted into urobilinogen
Why does obstructed bile flow cause steatorrhea?
No bile salt in duodenum, preventing fat digestion
Why does obstructed bile flow cause pruritis?
Deposit of salts into skin tissue
Why does obstructed bile flow cause intolerance to fatty foods?
No bile in small intestine to help with fat digestion
