Does sludge stress the gallbladder?
On One Hand: Most Sludge Causes Little or No StressThe gallbladder collects, processes and breaks down cholesterol with bile salts. When the cholesterol and bile salts are not properly balanced, the gallbladder creates a fluid that turns into biliary sludge. Sludge often occurs before gallstones, but usually resolves on its own and causes no further stress to the gallbladder or surrounding organs beyond the initial discomfort.On the Other: Complications and TreatmentA June 2007 article in the Journal of Current Treatment Options in Gastroenterology explained that sludge in the gallbladder can lead to cholecystitis, cholangitis or pancreatitis. If the cholesterol/bile ratio worsens, gallstones may form. Gallstones can sometimes be dissolved with ultrasound or surgical removal.Bottom LineFor most people, sludge does not stress the gallbladder and resolves itself naturally. For those patients whose sludge does not abate on its own, gallbladder removal is the typical treatment when sludge
