Bile Duct Symptoms

Bile ducts are tiny passages that carry bile from the liver or from the gall bladder. As the liver produces bile, it is carried by bile ducts to the gall bladder, and eventually, when the bile is required for digestion of food, it is released into the intestine. Problems with the bile duct are usually the result of a blockage, and this in turn is most often due to gallstones or cancer. The main symptom of a problem with the bile duct is jaundice – instead of the bile reaching the intestine, it accumulates, leading to an increase of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is the main component of bile, and is what gives the yellow tinge that is associated with jaundice. When bilirubin levels in the blood become very high, it causes the skin, the eyes, and other mucus membranes in the body to take on a yellowish tinge. Often, the urine also takes on a darker color, while the stools become lighter and more yellow in color. Another symptom of bile duct problems and jaundice is severe itching, as a result of the build up of bilirubin in the tissues.

Some bile duct problems are relatively mild, although they may cause more unpleasant symptoms. Gallstones can be quite painful, but there are plenty of treatment options, and the problem can usually be treated quite successfully. Gallstone pain tends to occur after a high fat meal, when the gall bladder is trying to release bile into the intestine for digestion. The pain is usually felt in the upper abdominal region, and may also be felt in the back, between the shoulder blades. In spite of the severity and disruptiveness of this pain, gallstones are a relatively minor problem affecting the bile ducts.

Bile Duct Problems

A more dangerous problem is pancreatic cancer – like any other cancer, treatment needs to begin early in order to be successful. However, the condition unfortunately tends to cause no symptoms in the early stages. In a large number of cases, the cancer is only detected when it obstructs the common bile duct, leading to jaundice. Treatment typically involves surgery, or if necessary, radiation therapy or chemotherapy; however, the survival rate of patients with pancreatic cancer is quite low.

In rare cases, cancer can directly affect the bile ducts themselves, leading to the same symptoms of jaundice, along with weight loss and abdominal pain. This type of cancer also tends to be lethal, and must be detected as early as possible for there to be any chance of treatment.