Cholesterol aids in the production of hormones, which contribute to cell formation. When your levels are too high, it can lead to heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Cholesterol can affect other organs, though, one of which is your gallbladder. Cholesterol itself is not the only contributor to gallbladder irritation. Cholesterol-lowering medications, such as fibrates, can also result in this condition.
Irritation Cause
Your gallbladder is a small organ that sits just below your liver on the right side of your abdomen. It is not an organ you need to survive, but it does serve a specific purpose. It is a holding tank for bile, a liquid your liver produces to help digest bodily fats. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse explains that your gallbladder has three ducts that carry bile from your liver to your small intestine where digestion takes place. If bile should happen to become trapped in any of these ducts because of gallstones, it can cause inflammation of your gallbladder, according to NDDIC.
Gallstones
There are two types of gallstones: pigment and cholesterol. Many people with gallstones do not realize they have them, but for some, gallstones can lead to inflammation and a great deal of pain. Pigment stones form from bilirubin, a waste product. Approximately 80 percent of gallstones are cholesterol stones, and form when bile contains excess amounts of cholesterol, bile salts and proteins. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that while cholesterol contributes to gallstone formation, high total cholesterol is not necessarily the cause. However, low levels of high density lipoprotein, HDL or "good" cholesterol, may be a factor.
Cholesterol Medications
Some cholesterol medications can increase your risk of developing gallstones, and thus increase gallbladder irritation. UMMC explains that fibrates, drugs doctors prescribe to both reduce low density lipoprotein, LDL or "bad" cholesterol, and raise HDL, increase the amount of cholesterol emitted into bile. Fibrates appear to be the only cholesterol medications that come with this effect, and drugs in this class include gemfibrozil and fenofibrate.
Treatment
Gallstones without symptoms do not require treatment. However, symptoms such as consistent pain in the right upper abdomen, pain under the right shoulder and pain between the shoulder blades are common signs of gallstones and symptoms of a gallbladder attack. Frequent gallbladder attacks usually require surgery to remove the gallbladder. NDDIC recommends seeking immediate medical attention if you experience pain for more than five hours, fever or chills, nausea and vomiting or jaundice, which is a yellowing of your skin or eyes. Always consult your doctor when unusual symptoms arise, ensuring the best possible diagnosis and treatment.
