Yasmin birth control gallbladder problems can cause acute gallbladder disease (known as cholecystitis). This condition is accompanied by severe abdominal pain, fever, and nausea. It often results in the patient needing surgery in order to have her gall bladder removed. Many women are unaware that stones within the biliary tree can also cause several dangerous secondary conditions. While gallbladder disease is painful, these secondary side effects are often far more serious.

Perforation Of The Gall Bladder

Stones that cause bile to remain trapped within the gallbladder result in inflammation of the organ’s wall. The wall becomes increasingly irritated and slowly erodes. Eventually, a hole develops, which allows the contents contained within the gall bladder to spill into the abdominal cavity. This leads to acute inflammation of the abdominal wall’s tissue, a condition known as peritonitis. Given sufficient time, infection will present.

By some estimates, one in ten cases of gallbladder disease involve some degree of perforation. The organ must be removed. If the condition is left untreated, it can become life-threatening.

Cholangitis

When stones cause a partial obstruction in the common bile duct, bacteria enters the biliary tree from the small intestine, and spreads. This bacteria climbs upward through the duct and lays the groundwork for infection. If it is not treated, it can reach the liver and kidneys, causing liver damage and kidney failure.

Antibiotics are usually sufficient for controlling the spread of bacteria and infection. Once these medications have been administered, a doctor will perform endoscopic sphincterotomy to drain the common bile duct. The danger is that bacteria can reach the bloodstream and spread to other areas of the body before this procedure can be done. Once it becomes systemic, it is far more difficult to contain.

Gallstone Pancreatitis

Your pancreas secretes digestive enzymes that flow through the pancreatic duct on their way to your small intestine. Along the way, this duct merges with the common bile duct. Yasmin gallstones that migrate to the lower portion of the duct (near the ampulla of Vater) can block the passage of these enzymes. Trapped within the duct, they become active and begin digesting the pancreas. This condition is called pancreatitis. It can be life-threatening.

Gallstone pancreatitis is usually treated with a two-pronged approach: ERCP with endoscopic sphincterotomy. This procedure is considered urgent when the pancreas becomes inflamed.

Gall Bladder Polyps

Polyps are abnormal growths that form in the wall of the gallbladder. They are occasionally cancerous. In most cases, the growths are identified during ultrasonography (an imaging test). While their root cause remains unclear, doctors report a definite connection between polyps and gallstones. If they are detected, the gallbladder is almost always surgically removed.

Gallbladder Cancer

While gallstones have not been verified as the cause of gallbladder cancer, they are present in the majority of diagnosed cases. If the disease is identified in its early stages while it remains localized, it can usually be treated successfully. If it is detected in an advanced stage, the mortality rate increases significantly. It is worth noting that cancer of the gall bladder is very rare.

Death Of Gallbladder Tissue

Occasionally, inflammation of the gall bladder is so severe that it cuts off blood flow to the organ. Without a constant supply of blood, the organ’s tissue begins to die. As tissue death (i.e. necrosis) begins to spread, the condition progresses to gangrene. In such cases, the gallbladder must be surgically removed immediately in order to prevent further infection of the surrounding structures.

The Yasmin gallbladder problems described above are atypical. However, when they occur, they present dangerous circumstances that require immediate medical attention. If you or someone you know has suffered Yasmin gallbladder problems, including gallstones, you may have the right to file a claim against the manufacturer. Contact a Yasmin lawsuit gallbladder lawyer to discuss your case.

Women are informed by their doctors regarding potential Yasmin side effects. The discussion normally focuses on the dangers associated with blood clots; these dangers include deep vein thrombosis (DVT), stroke, pulmonary embolism, and heart attack. This oral contraceptive can also contribute to gallstones and by extension, gallbladder disease. If left untreated, both conditions can lead to serious – even life-threatening – medical events.

Excess Cholesterol Secretion And Gallbladder Stasis

Yasmin is believed by some critics to contribute to the formation of stones in two ways. First, evidence suggests the hormones in this birth control pill – estrogen and drospirenone – increase the level of cholesterol secreted by the liver. Your liver usually secretes a very small amount of cholesterol into bile fluid. It travels with the bile down the common hepatic duct into your gallbladder. There, the cholesterol is absorbed into the lining of the organ’s wall. When cholesterol levels are elevated, the compound cannot be sufficiently absorbed. Instead, it eventually crystallizes.

Second, the hormones in Yasmin may contribute to gallbladder stasis; contractions are less frequent and weaker. Your gallbladder normally contracts whenever fats enter your small intestine. These contractions push bile into the common bile duct where it flows toward your small intestine to aid in digestion. When the gallbladder contracts less frequently and with less force, bile remains within the organ. It eventually turns into biliary sludge.

Biliary Sludge And Crystallization Of Cholesterol

Biliary sludge is composed of multiple compounds. Stagnant bile that remains within the gallbladder mixes with unabsorbed cholesterol, bilirubin, and calcium particles. Over time, this sludge can set the stage for gallstone formation. Even if stones do not form, the material can inflame the inner lining of the gall bladder. This is one of the catalysts for symptoms associated with gallbladder disease.

As noted earlier, excess cholesterol that remains within the gall bladder (as the result of stasis) eventually crystallizes. This is a process known as supersaturation. The unabsorbed cholesterol forms solid particles. Some of these particles become part of biliary sludge. Others remain independent. Stones can form in both cases.

Side Effects Of Yasmin And Gallstones

Symptomatic Yasmin problems involving gallstones and gallbladder disease usually result in sharp abdominal pain, nausea, and fever. Medical attention is usually necessary. If the condition is ignored, the gall bladder can become inflamed to the point that its wall thickens. When this occurs, it becomes less capable of contracting and pushing bile into the common bile duct.

In addition to the immediate symptoms, stones can cause a number of serious complications. Stones that migrate far enough down the common bile duct can block the passage of digestive enzymes from the pancreas. This triggers pancreatitis, a dangerous condition that can result in organ damage.

Bile duct stones can also set the stage for infection throughout the biliary tree. When the duct is blocked, bacteria climbs upward from the duodenum. Antibiotics can usually control the spread of infection. However, endoscopic sphincterotomy is often necessary to drain the duct and remove the offending stones. If infection is allowed to spread, it can cause liver damage and kidney failure.

While Yasmin birth control does increase the risk of blood clots, it also may pose a risk of gallstones. If you or someone you know has suffered from stones, biliary pain, or other Yasmin gallbladder problems, you may have legal recourse. Contact an experienced Yasmin lawyer to discuss your case.

Nearly all cases of Yasmin gallbladder side effects are caused by gallstones within the gall bladder or elsewhere in the biliary tree. When these stones remain within the organ, they can block the opening that leads to the cystic duct. This prevents bile from leaving. Alternatively, stones can migrate into the common bile duct. They often become lodged within the duct, causing bile to back up throughout the top portion of the biliary tract. In both cases, bile fluid is forced to remain inside the gallbladder, leading to inflammation of the organ’s wall. Please contact us for the latest litigation news including Yasmin gallbladder settlement information as lawsuits continue to be filed.

If the organ becomes inflamed, you’ll likely experience intense pain within your upper right abdomen. This pain can last for several hours and usually requires medical attention. When you arrive at the hospital, your doctor will try to verify that your symptoms are caused by Yasmin gallbladder disease. However, doing so is often challenging because many of the symptoms can be caused by unrelated conditions. For this reason, multiple tests are usually done in order to form a conclusive diagnosis.

Physical Exams And Blood Tests

Testing begins with a physical examination and blood test. These are done primarily to support a suspicion of gallstones and Yasmin gallbladder problems; they are insufficient for producing a convincing diagnosis. During the physical exam, your doctor will ask you to describe your symptoms. He or she will also test your abdomen for signs of sensitivity.

Blood tests are done to identify particular compounds that suggest the presence of gallstones. For example, when stones are present within the common bile duct, the levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase – enzymes found in the liver – typically rise. Bile duct stones can also raise the level of bilirubin in your blood.

As noted, raised levels of these agents do not provide a clear diagnosis. But they can be helpful in strengthening a suspicion of gall bladder disease.

Imaging And Diagnostic Tests

One of the most accurate tests for diagnosing gallstones inside the gallbladder is ultrasound. The advantages to using this test are that it is noninvasive and can be done quickly. The drawback is that it is far less useful for identifying stones within the common bile duct.

For bile duct stones, a slightly more invasive approach is needed: endoscopic ultrasound. During this test, your doctor will guide an endoscope down your throat, through your stomach, and into your small intestine. The endoscope is equipped with a small transducer on its tip. The transducer emits ultrasound waves throughout the biliary tree to produce detailed images of the bile duct and surrounding structures. This test is far more accurate for detecting bile duct stones than conventional ultrasound.

A similar approach called endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) can be used to detect bile duct stones. The difference is that a radiopaque dye is released into the area rather than ultrasound waves. The dye shows up on x-rays, which helps the doctor identify gallstones.

Radiopaque dye is also used during cholescintigraphy (also known as a HIDA scan). With this test, the dye is injected into a vein rather than being released through an endoscope. It is excreted by the liver into bile fluid. This allows your doctor to monitor the flow of bile throughout the biliary tree. Even though a HIDA scan is noninvasive, it can require a few hours to complete.

Helical computed tomography (CT) scans can also be done. However, because ultrasound is quick, accurate, and noninvasive, helical CT scans are used less frequently today than in the past. That said, they are highly accurate and still useful in cases where perforation or other complications are suspected.

Gallstones are the main catalyst of Yasmin gallbladder disease. While the stones usually lie dormant, they can suddenly present symptoms, including extreme pain. If you have suffered gallstones or gallbladder disease after using Yasmin, you may have the right to file a claim for compensation. Contact a Yasmin gallbladder class action lawyer to discuss your options.

Currently there has not been a Yasmin gallbladder settlement and multi-district litigation continues as more women file claims after suffering side effects. Yasmin gallbladder problems may occur when bile is trapped within the organ and causes inflammation. In most cases, bile is prevented from leaving the gall bladder as a result of gallstones located somewhere within the biliary tract. The stones may be present inside the organ near its opening, in the cystic duct, or anywhere along the common bile duct.

Inflammation quickly produces severe abdominal pain and in many cases, fever and chills. For treatment, doctors usually recommend gallbladder removal surgery with a procedure called cholecystectomy. It is normally done laparoscopically. If the inflammation of your gall bladder is acute, the operation may be performed within 24 hours. If other conditions (e.g. kidney disorder, heart problems, etc.) make surgery too high a risk, it might be postponed for several weeks. Below, I’ll describe the preparations leading up to the procedure.

Yasmin Gallbladder Removal Surgery: The Week Before

If emergency gallbladder surgery is unwarranted, your surgeon will suggest waiting a week (or more) before performing the operation. This provides time for testing and allows any symptoms related to a Yasmin gallbladder attack to subside.

Besides a blood test, your doctor may perform an ultrasound in order to identify whether gallstones are present within your gall bladder. An ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) or HIDA scan may also be done to determine if there are stones present in the common bile duct. It’s worth noting that cholecystectomy alone will not resolve bile duct stones.

During the week leading up to surgery, you’ll be required to stop taking any medications or anticoagulants. If you are currently taking drugs for kidney problems, diabetes, and other conditions, confirm with your doctor whether you must stop taking them.

One Day Before The Operation

The day prior to having your gallbladder removed, you’ll be instructed to avoid eating and to limit drinking to clear liquids. Doing so helps to empty your colon while keeping your intestines clean. You might also be required to take an enema to accelerate this process.

On The Day Of Surgery

When you check into the hospital, your doctor (or a nurse) will provide an antibacterial agent with which to wash your abdomen. Its purpose is to eliminate bacteria from the area through which the surgical team will access your gallbladder. When the surgeon is ready to perform the operation, an anesthesia will be administered to put you to sleep.

Postoperative Recovery: What To Expect

If gallbladder removal surgery is done laparoscopically, you might only be required to stay in the hospital for one or two days. If open abdominal surgery is performed (a far more invasive approach), expect to stay for up to 7 days. There will likely be discomfort, nausea, and even vomiting following the operation.

Some patients experience post-recovery pain that is reminiscent of a gallbladder attack, even after the organ and any existing Yasmin gallstones have been removed. When such pain presents, it is often due to a disorder with the sphincter of Oddi. This is a group of muscles located near the juncture where the common bile duct opens into the duodenum. If the muscles malfunction, they can prevent secretions from your liver and pancreas from emptying into your small intestine.

Resolving Yasmin Gallstones In The Bile Ducts

As noted earlier, cholecystectomy does not resolve common bile duct stones. They must be retrieved with a procedure called endoscopic sphincterotomy. A flexible instrument called an endoscope is passed through your esophagus and stomach, and into the small intestine. A catheter is then threaded through the endoscope into the common bile duct in order to extract the stones.

Yasmin gallbladder disease has affected otherwise healthy women who have never experienced gallbladder problems in the past. The condition usually requires the organ to be removed, a procedure that poses potential risks and serious complications. If you have developed gallstones or gallbladder problems after taking this oral contraceptive, please contact us for a free no-obligation consultation and the latest news on Yasmin gallbladder settlements. You may have the legal right to file a Yasmin lawsuit gallbladder claim for compensation.

The gallbladder, a small, pear shaped organ that lies near the liver, acts as a storage facility, containing and concentrating bile that comes from the liver and then sending it to the small intestine. The bile helps break down fat from the body, therefore aiding digestion. Bile travels from the liver to the gallbladder and then from the gallbladder to the small intestine through a series of pathways called ducts.

Sometimes, a buildup of substances in the bile, usually cholesterol, can cause gallstones to form. These hard stones may cause no symptoms, or may cause intermittent or longer lasting pain in a gallbladder attack. If the stones block or enter a duct, they can cause infection and inflammation, leading to gallbladder disease. Some people have pointed to the use of Yasmin as causing gallbladder disease where there are no other health risks involved that could cause gallstones.

Doctors often remove the gallbladder once it shows signs of gallbladder disease, but that brings another set of problems. The gallbladder regulates the entrance of the bile into the small intestine, and without regulation, patients can have gas, bloating, diarrhea. Scientists also believe that, without being regulated by the gallbladder, the constant presence of chemicals from the bile on the small intestine can lead to cancer.

Essential for sustaining life or not, the gallbladder certainly helps sustain a preferred quality of life.

Not surprisingly, some of the same general recommendations for healthy living are the same ones for sustaining a healthy gallbladder.

• Maintain a low fat diet. Since the liver produces bile to process fat, the less fat eaten, the less work the liver and the gallbladder need to do.

• Eat at regular intervals. When you have frequent, smaller meals, it is easier for the body to handle the digestion process.

• Increase fiber. Fiber helps food move more quickly through the digestive system. Good sources of fiber include vegetables, fruits, beans and whole grains.

Some doctors suggest using spices like turmeric, which stimulates the flow of bile, or ginger, which aids in the digestion of fat. However, if you have bile duct obstruction or gallstones, you should talk to your doctor first.

If you are overweight, healthy eating and a sensible weight loss plan can help your overall health. However, beware of programs that promise a huge weight loss in a short period of time. This type of weight fluctuation can be harmful to your entire body, and can lead to gallstones. Otherwise healthy women have suffered from Yasmin gallbladder problems while using this birth control pill.

If you or a family member has suffered from side effects please contact us for a free no-obligation case review and help with your legal options including filing a Yasmin gallbladder lawsuit.

Concerned about gallstones? If you have had pain from gallstones, you may be wondering if you are at risk for more gallstones or further complications from gallbladder disease. Yasmin and Ocella birth control have been linked with some women who have developed gallbladder problems.

Although each individual’s situation varies, there are some general risk factors that may predispose people to problems with their gallbladder.

The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped organ that is located in the abdomen and connects to the liver and small intestine through tubes called ducts. The gallbladder’s main responsibility is to store bile that is made by the liver and transport it to the small intestine when needed to help digest fat. The bile goes in and out of the gallbladder through the ducts.

When hardened bits of cholesterol or bile material form in the gallbladder, they are called gallstones. While they can exist without causing problems for years, sometimes the gallstones will cause pain, either periodically or for hours at a time. Additionally, gallstones can block or become stuck in ducts, leading to inflammation and infection, i.e. gallbladder disease.

While anyone can have gallstones or gallbladder disease, there are some factors that increase the likelihood of this illness. They are known informally as the five F’s.

Female: Nearly one quarter of all women in the U.S. have gallstones by the time they are 50. By the time they are 75, nearly 60% have gallstones, compared to 20% of men the same age.

Fat: Obesity is a big risk factor in developing gallstones. The liver overproduces cholesterol, which is put into the bile, causing over-saturation. Rapid weight loss or rapid weight gain also increases production of cholesterol, which can form stones because of over-saturation.

Fertile: Pregnancy increases the risk of gallstones, as does hormone replacement therapy. Some women who have taken the Yaz brand of birth control pill have had problems with gallstones and gallbladder disease.

Forty: Although this is not a definite, this pre-menopausal age is a time when estrogen may increase the amount of cholesterol the liver produces.

Fair: The light skinned, light haired Scandinavian people seemed to have higher incidence of gallstones. However, additional groups with higher than average levels of gallbladder problems include people from other northern European countries, Hispanics, native North and South Americans, such as Pima Indians, Chileans and Peruvians. Scientists believe this is due to both genetic and dietary causes.

Other factors that increase the risk of developing gallbladder complications include diabetes, Crohn’s disease, and diet. If you have gallstones, talk with your doctor to determine how to decrease your risk of gallstones reoccurring.

If you or a family member has suffered from Ocella or Yasmin gallbladder disease please contact us for a free no-obligation consultation regarding being part of a Yasmin gallbladder lawsuit. We are currently representing women throughout the United States.

Gallstones caused by Ocella and Yasmin birth control pills may develop as the result of two concurrent factors. First, Yasmin is believed to potentially raise the level of cholesterol present in the bile fluid secreted from your liver. Second, the oral contraceptive is thought to reduce your gallbladder’s activity. Both factors increase the likelihood that gallstones will form. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding the latest Yasmin lawsuit gallbladder news. We are currently filing claims for women affected by Yasmin gallbladder symptoms throughout the United States.

One of the most common symptoms of gallstones and Yasmin gallbladder disease is biliary colic. Sometimes referred to as a gall bladder attack, the condition is characterized by excruciating pain in your right abdomen. Below, you’ll discover some of the features of biliary colic, including potential complications that may develop if the condition is not treated. I’ll also explain why Ocella gallbladder attacks occur and how symptomatic gallstones are typically resolved.

When Yasmin And Gallstones Cause Pain

When you suffer biliary colic, you’ll feel a cramping pain on the right side of your abdomen near your ribcage. The pain is usually severe and can spread into your upper back and underneath your sternum. Pain medications are unlikely to reduce its severity.

Nausea and vomiting are also common symptoms of biliary colic, especially following meals that contain a high fat content. In extreme cases where Yasmin gallstones have formed a large blockage in the cystic duct or common bile duct, jaundice (i.e. yellowing of the skin) can present.

The symptoms that accompany biliary colic are intermittent. They will normally subside after a few hours, but will recur until the gallstones are either dissolved or removed. If the stones are not treated, they can eventually cause a gallbladder attack, infection within the common bile duct, and pancreatitis.

What Triggers A Yasmin Gallbladder Attack?

Gallbladder attacks and biliary colic are related and often occur at the same time. In the case of an attack, Yasmin gallstones prevent bile from exiting the gall bladder. This can happen if the stones remain within the organ near the opening leading to the cystic duct. It can also occur if the stones migrate outside the gallbladder into the cystic duct. In both cases, the bile remains trapped within the gall bladder, causing inflammation and triggering an attack.

Biliary colic can be caused by gallstones that have migrated into the cystic duct or further down within the common bile duct. Though the condition is triggered by the same root cause as a Yasmin gallbladder attack, it can occur on its own.

Treatment For Biliary Colic

If the pain associated with gallstones within your biliary tract is mild and brief, your doctor may prescribe medications to reduce its severity during episodes. However, given that symptoms typically recur over the long run, your physician will likely recommend gallbladder removal surgery.

The procedure is called cholecystectomy. It can be performed laparoscopically as long as there is no infection present and the surgeon can reach the gallstones. This is the preferred approach because the operation is minimally invasive and can be completed with a few small incisions.

If the surgeon discovers infection (not uncommon with severe Yasmin gallbladder disease) or cannot reach stones within the biliary tract, a switch to invasive, open surgery becomes necessary.

Some women have developed gallstones after taking Yasmin oral contraceptives. Asymptomatic stones are unlikely to cause problems. However, if you experience a gripping pain within your upper right abdomen, see a doctor; you may be suffering biliary colic or a gallbladder attack. Pain that lasts longer than twelve hours may be related to pancreatitis, a condition that requires immediate medical attention.

If you have suffered gallstones after taking this birth control pill or Ocella and had gallbladder removal surgery, please contact a Yasmin gallbladder lawsuit attorney to discuss your legal options.

Yasmin gallbladder problems include inflammation of the organ and biliary tract, infection, and gallstones. In severe cases, the gall bladder can suffer perforation, accumulate pus, or form a fistula with an adjoining organ (e.g. the small intestine). In the event that gallstones migrate into the common bile duct, they can potentially block the pancreatic duct and cause pancreatitis. All of these are dangerous side effects of Yasmin gallbladder disease and require immediate medical attention.

Please contact us for more information on being part of a Yasmin gallbladder lawsuit. There is never any cost to speak to one of our birth control lawyers.

Many women have experienced problems with their gall bladders after using Yasmin oral contraceptives. Below, we’ll focus upon inflammation of the organ (a condition known as acute cholecystitis) and explore the symptoms that can manifest. You’ll also learn how the condition is normally treated.

Symptoms Of An Inflamed Gallbladder

Inflammation of the gallbladder is nearly always caused by gallstones. The stones form and block the cystic duct, preventing bile from exiting your gallbladder. Trapped within, the bile causes inflammatory enzymes to be released. The release of these enzymes produce a chain reaction that can cause the organ to fill with fluid. As this occurs, the walls of your gall bladder thicken.

Acute cholecystitis is accompanied by severe abdominal pain. Once it peaks (usually within an hour), it stays constant and can last longer than twelve hours. The pain can worsen and become excruciating if you attempt to breathe deeply. Eventually, it may spread into your back or underneath your right shoulder blade.

Nausea and vomiting are also common side effects of Yasmin gallbladder disease. Moreover, one in three people who suffer inflammation of the organ will experience fever and chills.

Even though symptoms of a gallbladder attack may diminish after three or four days, complications can present if the condition is left untreated. One in ten patients suffer perforation of the organ. One in five develop infection. Other complications include pus within the gall bladder, jaundice, pancreatitis, and even gangrene. Each of these side effects of Yasmin gallbladder disease is extremely dangerous and requires immediate treatment.

Two Stages Of Treatment For Yasmin Gallbladder Problems

The first stage of treatment for an inflamed gall bladder is to allow the organ to rest. You will be required to fast and avoid drinking. Fluids will be administered intravenously. Your doctor may also insert a tube (typically through the nose) into your stomach in order to empty its contents. Painkillers may be given to reduce severe abdominal pain and antibiotics may be administered to prevent infection.

The second stage of treatment usually involves removing your gallbladder through a surgical procedure known as cholecystectomy. The preferred method is laparoscopy; it is a minimally invasive approach that precludes cutting through your abdominal muscles. The surgeon will fill your abdomen with carbon dioxide and insert a camera-equipped laparoscope through your navel. Then, two or three small incisions are made into the right side of your abdomen; surgical instruments are inserted through them.

The surgeon will study the area on a video monitor that displays images from the laparoscopic camera. He’ll use the surgical instruments to severe your gallbladder’s connections to the surrounding structure before removing the organ.

There are risks involved with gallbladder removal surgery. The most common complication is injury to the bile duct. If your bile duct sustains a tear during the operation, bile fluid can leak into your abdominal cavity. This is dangerous and must be corrected with further surgery.

Many women who have never experienced gallbladder problems have suffered gallstones and inflammation after taking Bayer’s birth control pills. If you or someone you love has used this oral contraceptive and developed gallbladder disease, contact a birth control lawyer to discuss your case. Please contact us today for help in filing a Yasmin gallbladder lawsuit.

Yasmin birth control pills are known as a combined-hormone contraceptive. It is one of the first to blend estrogen with drospirenone, a synthetic progestin that has been linked to blood clots, hyperkalemia, and other side effects. Evidence suggests it is also linked to Yasmin gallbladder disease.

This article will explain the job of your gallbladder and how Yasmin can contribute to gallstones and inflammation. I’ll describe how gallbladder disease is treated and the possible side effects that can present if the organ is surgically removed.

Understanding Your Gallbladder’s Job

Your gallbladder is located under your liver. It is a muscle-lined sac that is approximately four inches in length. Your liver produces bile and funnels most of it into your gallbladder through the common hepatic duct and cystic duct. Most of the bile (a few cups each day) is removed. A few tablespoons of concentrated fluid remain in the sac until it is needed to digest fats.

When food enters your duodenum in the upper portion of your small intestine, a hormone called cholecystokinin is released. This hormone triggers contractions within your gallbladder. The contractions push bile out of the sac into the common bile duct. The bile fluid flows into the small intestine where it helps digest fat molecules.

Gallstones And Inflammation

Most gallstones are cholesterol-based. The cholesterol is delivered from the liver to your gallbladder within bile salts. Normally, it only comprises 5% of the bile fluid. However, if cholesterol levels rise and the ratio becomes imbalanced, the bile fluid thickens within the gallbladder. Eventually, the cholesterol can crystallize and form gallstones.

Inflammation of the sac (with or without the presence of stones) can occur if the gallbladder cannot contract properly. This prevents bile from being pushed out into the common bile duct. Instead, the fluid remains within the gallbladder, causing irritation. In some cases, it can lead to infection.

Yasmin birth control pills can potentially cause gallstones and inflammation (called acute cholecystitis). The combination of estrogen and drospirenone has been linked to increased cholesterol levels and reduced contractions of the gallbladder.

How Yasmin Gallbladder Disease Is Treated

In the case of gallstones, the form of treatment depends upon whether the stones are symptomatic. If symptoms do not present, most doctors will recommend against treatment. If symptoms present, but there is no infection within the gallbladder or common bile duct, doctors may suggest painkillers or another form of drug therapy. If infection has developed, or there is a chance that it might, doctors will strongly recommend the removal of the entire organ.

In the case of inflammation, removal of the gallbladder is almost always necessary. This is usually accomplished through a minimally-invasive surgical procedure called laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Possible Post-Operation Side Effects

Some women who have suffered Yasmin gall bladder disease have experienced side effects after having the organ surgically removed. Post-operative nausea and vomiting are common, though both can treated with medications. Discomfort and diarrhea following meals are also common and may require changes in diet.

Far more serious is the potential tearing or damaging of the bile ducts during the operation. This can lead to post-op complications. Also, if the surgical team fails to remove one or more stones, the stones can cause an abscess within the abdominal cavity. Resolving the problem will require further surgery.

Gallbladder disease is one of many serious Yasmin side effects. If you have experienced gallstones or inflammation after taking this oral contraceptive, contact a Yasmin lawyer. You may have a legal claim.

Symptoms of biliary colic include:

• Extreme pain in the upper right abdomen
• Nausea or vomiting
• Jaundice
• Indigestion and heartburn
• Intolerance of fatty foods – feeling unusually full after meals

Some women suffering from Yasmin and gallstones will develop inflammation in the gallbladder which is called acute cholecystitis. Acute cholecystitis is a sudden inflammation of the gall bladder wall that causes severe abdominal pain. This occurs when stones block the duct. In severe cases, gangrene or perforation of the gallbladder may occur.

Acute cholecystitis causes bile to become trapped in the gallbladder. The buildup of bile causes irritation and pressure in the gallbladder. This can lead to bacterial infection and perforation of the organ. Although cholecystitis may clear up on its own, surgery to remove the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) is usually needed when inflammation continues or recurs.

Symptoms of gallbladder inflammation include:

• Severe and constant pain in the upper right abdomen
• Pain that increases when drawing a breath
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pain that radiates to the back or under the shoulder blades
• Fever and chills

Some women have suffered from serious problems associated with gallbladder disease caused by Yasmin, but did not know that their birth control pill may have caused gallstones and other complications. Gallstone symptoms can be similar to many other conditions including ulcers, heart attack and irritable bowel syndrome. Not all Yasmin gallstones show up on regular X-rays. Ultrasound tests can most often show whether stones are present. A HIDA scan, which uses an injection of radioactive dye, shows whether the gallbladder is blocked and inflamed and therefore the cause of pain. It can also show if the gallbladder is functioning properly.

If you are having frequent Yasmin gall bladder attacks, your physician may recommend gallbladder removal surgery – an operation called a cholecystectomy. The most common procedure in involves a laparoscope which is much less invasive compared to open gallbladder removal surgery where the surgeon makes a 5 to 7 inch incision in the abdomen in order to remove the gallbladder.

If you have suffered from Yasmin causing gallbladder disease and would like more information on filing a Yasmin gallbladder lawsuit please contact us for a free no-obligation consultation. There are deadlines for filing a claim so please contact us at your earliest convenience. We are currently representing women who had to undergo gallbladder removal surgery throughout the United States.