| Re: sludge in the gallbladder
"Sludge" is microcrystals that form in the gallbladder which will eventually become gallstones. Gallbladder problems can lead to nausea, bloating, diarrhea, pale stools, pain in the ribs, shoulder and back, etc.
Most people if they live long enough will develop gallstones, some don't have noticeable symptoms. It also tends to run in families.
While you may pass sludge or small stones, if you are prone to them, you will develop more over time. There is no real cure. There are drugs like ursodiol and actigall that can help some patients. The key in my mind is the pain level, if the pain and discomfort are too high, then it's time to consider surgery. If you develop stones large enough to get stuck in the ducts, it is very painful and requires emergency surgery.
The laproscopic surgery is relatively low risk. Whether it makes your stomach flat again in uncertain. There are some folks, who continue to have problems after surgery.
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