Biliary dyskinesia is a term used to describe a gallbladder that is not functioning as it should for one reason or another. In a healthy gallbladder, the ingestion of food causes the gallbladder to create and release bile, which aids in digestion. However, in patients with biliary dyskinesia, something is disrupting the healthy release of bile. Today, we explain why biliary dyskinesia develops, and how it is treated.
Why Does Biliary Dyskinesia Occur?
Biliary dyskinesia can occur on its own, but far often it is a symptom of a larger condition. Some common conditions that can lead to biliary dyskinesia include cholecystitis, gallstone formation or pancreatitis. It can also be an early warning sign of gallbladder disease or cancer.
There are two forms of biliary dyskinesia – hyperkinetic and hypokinetic.
- Hyperkinetic biliary dyskinesia – This condition is categorized by excessive contractions of the gallbladder and over-release of bile in the body. It is much rarer than the other form of biliary dyskinesia, and your risk for developing this type declines as you age, so it’s more common to see this type of biliary dyskinesia in younger patients. Symptoms include pain in the right side of your abdomen, increased heart rate and muscle weakness. Surgery is usually needed for this form.
- Hypokinetic biliary dyskinesia – On the flip side, hypokinetic biliary dyskinesia occurs when the gallbladder does not release the correct amount of bile. This is been found to be more common in females and in older populations. Pain in the right side of the abdomen, constipation, cramping and bloating are common symptoms with hypokinetic biliary dyskinesia.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Biliary Dyskinesia
If you are experiencing pain in the right side of your abdomen, consider heading into Dr. Koeplin’s office. There are some very simple tests that can quickly determine the amount of bilirubin in your blood, which will help determine if you’re dealing with biliary dyskinesia. Your doctor may also use imaging tools to look for the presence of an obstruction that is impeding the release of bile from the gallbladder.
If you’ve been diagnosed with biliary dyskinesia, your doctor will walk you through your treatment options. If your condition is actually a symptom of a larger problem like gallstones, your doctor will discuss the treatment options for those other conditions. However, if your condition is simply caused by biliary dyskinesia, some common treatments include:
- Medications to increase or decrease the release of bile.
- Surgery to remove the gallbladder, as it is a non-vital organ.
- Surgery to remove any impediments to the free release of bile.
- Diet changes.
If you’re dealing with gallbladder or digestion issues, and you think you may be suffering from biliary dyskinesia, reach out to Dr. Koeplin’s office today. He’ll be able to provide you with an accurate diagnosis as well as care options to help alleviate your discomfort. For more information, contact him today.
