Gallbladder or biliary sludge can cause stomach pain after eating, along with other symptoms, like nausea and vomiting. Treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms and the underlying cause.
The gallbladder is located between the intestines and the liver. It stores bile from the liver until it is ready to be released into the intestines to aid in digestion.
If the gallbladder doesn’t empty completely, particles in the bile, such as cholesterol or calcium salts, can thicken from staying in the gallbladder for too long.
These particles mix with mucus from the gallbladder and eventually become biliary sludge, which is commonly referred to as gallbladder sludge.
This article reviews symptoms, causes, and treatment for gallbladder sludge.
Some people who have gallbladder sludge will show no symptoms and never know they have it. Others will experience symptoms similar to an inflamed gallbladder (called “acute cholecystitis“) or gallbladder stones (called “gallstones“).
The primary symptom of gallbladder sludge is often stomach (abdominal) pain, especially on the upper right side under your ribs. This pain may increase shortly after a meal.
Other symptoms can include:
- chest pain
- right shoulder pain
- nausea and vomiting
- clay-like stools
Gallbladder sludge forms when bile remains in the gallbladder for too long. Mucus from the gallbladder can mix with cholesterol and calcium salts, combining to create the sludge.
Gallbladder sludge seems to be more common during pregnancy, especially if you’re following a strict diet.
While gallbladder sludge is not a common problem, there are certain people who have a higher risk of developing it.
- women, who tend to have higher rates of gallbladder problems than men
- people with Native American ancestry
- people who get nutrition through an IV or other alternatives to food
- people who are critically ill
- people with diabetes
- people with obesity or overweight who lose weight quickly
- people who have had an organ transplant
If you’re experiencing abdominal pain, your doctor will ask about your medical history and symptoms. They’ll then perform a physical exam. During a physical exam, your doctor will gently palpate or press different places on your abdomen.
If they suspect that your gallbladder may be the source of the pain, they’ll likely order an abdominal ultrasound, which can very accurately detect gallstones.
If your doctor diagnoses you with gallstones or gallbladder sludge after the ultrasound, they may run tests to determine the cause of the sludge.
These tests will likely include a blood test, which can examine your cholesterol and sodium levels. Your doctor may also run blood tests to make sure your liver is functioning properly.
Doctors will sometimes find your gallbladder sludge by accident while looking at the results of a CT scan or ultrasound that was ordered for something else.
Sometimes, gallbladder sludge will resolve without causing any symptoms or needing treatment. In other situations, it can lead to gallstones. Gallstones can cause upper abdominal pain and may require surgery.
In some cases, these gallstones can cause an obstruction in the bile duct. This is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment.
Gallbladder sludge can cause or contribute to cholecystitis, which is an inflamed gallbladder. If your gallbladder causes frequent or chronic pain, your doctor will likely recommend removing it entirely.
In very severe cases, inflammation can cause erosion in the wall of the gallbladder, leading to a perforation that leaks the contents of the gallbladder into the abdominal cavity. This is most common in older adults.
Gallbladder sludge may also cause acute pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas. When enzymes become active in the pancreas instead of the intestines, it can lead to inflammation.
Pancreatic inflammation, also called “acute pancreatitis,” can cause a systemic response, leading to shock or even death. This can occur if the gallbladder sludge or gallstones block the pancreatic duct.
If your gallbladder sludge is not causing any symptoms, it’s possible that no treatment is necessary. Once the underlying cause clears up, the sludge often disappears.
Your doctor can prescribe medications to help dissolve the sludge or any gallstones if they’re present.
In some cases, when the sludge causes pain, inflammation, or gallstones, your doctor may recommend removing the gallbladder altogether.
If gallbladder sludge is a recurring problem, you may need to make lifestyle changes to prevent future problems. By eating a low fat, low cholesterol, and low sodium diet, you can reduce the chance of developing sludge in the future.
Many people with gallbladder sludge will never even know they had it, especially in cases where the cause is only temporary.
If the gallbladder sludge leads to further complications or causes chronic pain, your doctor may recommend removing the gallbladder altogether. Gallbladder sludge typically isn’t a problem unless it’s experienced over a long period of time or causes symptoms.
To prevent gallbladder sludge, try to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet with high fiber foods like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and beans, as well as healthy fats like fish oil or olive oil. Try to avoid or cut down on refined carbs, sugar, fried foods, and trans fats.