Alcoholism may lead to different types of diseases. These diseases affect various parts of the body. Alcoholism may also lead to various complications which require to be treated with the help of surgery. A popular disease which affects alcoholics is the Hepatobiliary disease. Surgery is the only treatment in case of severity of the hepatobiliary disease.
The hepatobiliary system of the human body consists of the liver, gallbladder and ducts or tubes. Ducts or tubes connect the liver and gallbladder to the small intestine. These organs perform various functions. The liver performs functions like detoxifying chemicals and storing important compounds. It also produces agents which help to digest, metabolize and store nutrients from food. This hepatobiliary system is subject to a disease known as the hepatobiliary disease.
High intakes of alcohol may effect the liver in a bad way. The liver may face problems in storing or metabolizing chemicals. Other than this, hepatobiliary disease may also mean primary cancer of the liver or cancer that may spread to other organs from liver.
Severe alcohol abuse may also lead to cirrhosis of the liver. In case of cirrhosis of the liver, surgery is the only treatment.
Gallbladder is another important organ which is affected by the hepatobiliary disease. The disease may also lead to stones and sludges. This may result in severe pain in the right upper abdomen. Gallbladder stones may also cause a blockage in the bile flow. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are some of the symptoms of this disease. Apart from this, a lot of people are also affected by biliary dyskinesia. This results in a condition in which the gallbladder cannot eject bile into the intestine. This creates increased pressure in the gallbladder and thus the patient feels right upper abdominal pain and nausea.
There are various tests which may aid in curing the disease. Tests like Ultrasound, Hida Scans and blood tests may help in detecting hepatobiliary disease. Gallstones as well as biliary dyskinesia can be treated effectively with a cholecystectomy, which involves the removal of the gallbladder. This operation is performed laparoscopically, uses three to four small incisions and a video camera.
During surgeries performed to treat hepatobiliary disease, a dye is injected into the biliary ducts. This is done in order to make sure that no stones are present to create an obstruction. The operation generally takes 25 to 45 minutes and the patient can go home on the same day. The liver continues to produce bile and thus continues to aid in digestion.
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