GALLSTONES AND GALLBLADDER DISEASE IN CROHN'S DISEASE

Gallstones and gallbladder disease is much more common in Crohn's disease than in ulcerative colitis. That's because Crohn's disease often affects the terminal ileum, and sometimes surgery is needed to that area. The area is the end of the small intestine, where it meets the large intestine, right near the appendix. That's also the area where the body normally absorbs bile acid that helps to eliminate cholesterol. When the cholesterol isn't eliminated, it can deposit and build up into stones in the gallbladder. Those gallstones usually go on to cause inflammation in the gallbladder. 

Symptoms of Gallstones and Gallbladder Disease

It's easy to think that the symptoms of gallbladder disease are just another flare of Crohn's disease. Both can cause sharp pain, nausea and vomiting, bloating and fevers. But the pain in gallbladder disease is usually right after a meal and in the upper right; the vomiting may be more intense.  

Diagnosing Gallstones and Gallbladder Disease

The best test is usually an ultrasound of the right upper part of the abdomen, But if that doesn't show the stones or thickening of the gallbladder wall, other tests may help:

• Blood tests to check inflammation, the liver, gallbladder and pancreas to pinpoint the problem. These usually include C-reactive protein, blood count, liver panel with GGT, amylase and lipase.
• Urine test to see if bilirubin is spilling over into the urine
• Nuclear scan often called a HIDA scan that checks gallbladder function and the ducts (channels) that leave it for the pancreas and small intestine 

Diet to Prevent or Treat Gallbladder Disease and After Surgery

Since the gallbladder may not be working well or after it's gone, it can't release bile normally. So fats won't be absorbed as well and that may cause nausea, bloating and malabsorption. The best ways to prevent that:

• Low fat diet
• Low saturated fats especially: lower red meats. (organs like liver) and dairy 
• More of a Mediterranean diet: vegetables and vegetable oils, fish, avocados, nuts 
• Trim your own body fat with exercise and portion control