Bile Duct Diseases

Your bile ducts play an essential role in the digestion of food. When you have severe abdominal pain or other symptoms of bile duct diseases, you can find the high-quality medical care you need at Wake Endoscopy. At their offices in Wilson, Raleigh, Cary, Clayton, and Wake Forest, North Carolina, the gastroenterologists use advanced technologies to diagnose bile duct disease. They offer treatments like medications, lifestyle changes, and surgery to ease your symptoms and restore your digestive health. Call the Wake Endoscopy office nearest you to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for bile duct diseases, or book an appointment online today. 

What are bile duct diseases?

Bile is a substance your liver makes to support digestion, and your gallbladder stores the bile until you eat. Consuming food causes your gallbladder to move the bile into tubes known as the bile ducts, which carry the fluid to your small intestines to break down fats.

Bile duct diseases occur when there’s a blockage in the bile ducts that prevents the efficient flow of bile. Causes of bile duct blockages or dysfunction can include:

• Cancer
• Infections
• Inflammation
• Gallstones

Autoimmune disorders and inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease can contribute to bile duct diseases. You may also be at increased risk for bile duct disease if you’re born with structural issues that interfere with the function of your bile ducts.

Wake Endoscopy provides comprehensive care for bile duct diseases. The skilled gastroenterologists at Wake Endoscopy use advanced technologies to ensure an accurate diagnosis and customize a care plan to protect your digestive health.

What are the symptoms of bile duct diseases?

Bile duct diseases can cause sudden and severe abdominal pain if a gallstone or other obstruction blocks the flow of bile. You can also experience:

• Fatigue
• Itching
• Fever
• Weight loss
• Decreased appetite
• Light brown urine
• Clay-colored bowel movements
• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)

Wake Endoscopy provides blood tests in-office to check the function of your bile ducts and liver. They may also perform an endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and/or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) to identify gallstones or other issues that block your bile ducts.

How are bile duct diseases treated?

Your treatment plan for bile duct diseases depends on the cause of your condition and the severity of your symptoms.

The Wake Endoscopy team may prescribe medications to relieve pain, clear infections, and reduce inflammation. They might also recommend surgery to remove gallstones or scar tissues that interfere with bile duct function.

In addition to treating your condition, the team offers strategies you can use to prevent additional bile duct complications. They may recommend eating foods that are low in cholesterol and getting daily exercise. If you smoke, the team can provide resources to help you quit for good.

Call the Wake Endoscopy office nearest you to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for bile duct diseases, or book an appointment online today.