Bile is one of the many fluids that your body secretes, but it mostly helps digest fats. This fluid is produced by the liver and is started in the gallbladder, where it stays until the body actually needs it. Bile helps break down fatty foods in your small intestine, that way, it’s easier for your body to absorb nutrients.
However sometimes, the flow of bile can get blocked, a condition called biliary duct obstruction. There are small tubes called ducts that carry the bile to the intestine to do its work. In the case of biliary duct obstruction, the ducts are blocked which causes problems with digestion. Even though this condition is rare, the chances of getting them aren’t zero.
The Biliary Tract
The biliary tract is a system in your body which is made up of the liver, the gallbladder, and the bile ducts. This tract is sort of a transportation system that moves bile to help your stomach digest fatty foods. It starts in the liver, and moves through the gallbladder to get stored. Then it ends up in the intestines, where the bile does its work.
Symptoms of Biliary Duct Obstruction
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
- Dark urine
- Light-colored stools
- Abdominal pain
- Itching
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
Causes of Biliary Duct Obstruction
Gallstones
The most common cause of biliary duct obstruction is gallstones. They are small, but solid particles that form in the gallbladder due to an imbalance in the substances that make up the bile. Gallstones are of different types:
- Cholesterol gallstones: These stones are mostly made of cholesterol, which from when the bike contains too much cholesterol. Aside from the substances containing cholesterol, if there’s little bike salts, or if the gallbladder doesn’t empty propely, cholesterol gallstones forms.
- Pigment gallstones: These ones are made of bilirubin and are most common in people with liver diseases or infection in the bile ducts.
Gallstones start forming when either cholesterol or bilirubin crystallizes. These crystals grow into stones over time, which form the gallstones. People who are obese, have a high-fat diet or genetic predisposition are at a higher risk of getting this condition.
If the gallstones travel out of the gallbladder, it could lodge in the bile ducts, blocking the bile from flowing.
Biliary Tract Cancer
Cancer of the biliary system (the bile transport system) can also affect the bile ducts. This can happen in two ways. The cancer can either block the ducts or cause them to swell and narrow. There are types of biliary tract cancer:
- Cholangiocarcinoma: This is a cancer of the bile duct itself.
- Gallbladder cancer: This is a rare cancer that begins in the gallbladder and can spread gradually to the bile ducts.
The gallbladder and biliary tract are made up cells just like the rest of the body. Cancer develops when cells in either of these locations starts to grow uncontrollably. Tumors can grow inside or around the bike ducts, which physically blosck the flow of bile.
Other Causes
Biliary tract cancer isn’t the only cancer that can lead to biliary duct obstruction. Another cancer that could lead to biliary duct obstruction is pancreatic cancer, especially when located near the bile ducts. If the cancer is located close to the bile duct, it can compress or invade the ducts. This stops bike from flowing into the intestine.
Furthermore, conditions like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis can cause the biliary tracts to be inflammed. Over time, chronic inflammation can scar and narrow the ducts, obstructing bile flow. There’s also a condition called sclerosing cholangitis where the bile ducts become inflamed and develop scar tissue. Over time, the scarring narrows the ducts, blocking the flow of bile.
Finally, certain parasites, like liver flukes, can infect the bike ducts after being ingested through contaminated food or water. These parasites line I’m the ducts, causing inflammation and physical blockage.
Conclusion
Those who have gallstones, are overweight, or have a family history of liver or bile issues may be more at risk for biliary duct obstruction. People with inflammatory bowel disease or pancreatic cancer may also be at risk. If you start developing symptoms such as yellow skin or eyes (jaundice), stomach pain, nausea, or dark urine, you need to see a doctor. The earlier you detect the issue, the easier it is to treat.
