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Don't People Need Their Gallbladders?

By Tracee Cornforth, About.com

Updated December 08, 2003

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Fortunately, the gallbladder is an organ that people can live without. Losing it won't even require a change in diet. Once the gallbladder is removed, bile flows out of the liver through the hepatic ducts into the common bile duct and goes directly into the small intestine, instead of being stored in the gallbladder. However, because the bile isn't stored in the gallbladder, it flows into the small intestine more frequently, causing diarrhea in some people. Also, some studies suggest that removing the gallbladder may cause higher blood cholesterol levels, so occasional cholesterol tests may be necessary.

Overview | Causes | Risks | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | Gallbladder Function | Tips

Reprinted from the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC)

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