Yaz Gallbladder Disease: Can Gallstones Cause Pancreatitis?
Nearly all cases of Yaz gallbladder disease are caused by the formation of gallstones. If these stones migrate deeply enough into the common bile duct, they can cause acute pancreatitis.
Nearly all cases of Yaz gallbladder disease are caused by the formation of gallstones. If these stones migrate deeply enough into the common bile duct, they can cause acute pancreatitis. This is a dangerous medical condition. Unfortunately, many women remain unaware of their exposure.
The process by which gallstones develop is set in motion by two factors. First, Yaz birth control is thought to elevate the level of cholesterol secreted by your liver into bile. The bile fluid flows into your gall bladder where it remains until the organ’s contractions propel it outward. Second, studies suggest Yaz reduces your gallbladder’s contraction activity. This allows the cholesterol-heavy bile fluid to remain within the organ and form stones. Some can migrate from your gallbladder into your common bile duct.
Bile Duct Stones And Pancreatic Enzymes
When gallstones move into the bile duct, they can cause a blockage that prevents bile fluid from leaving your gall bladder. That leads to inflammation, the basis of Yaz gallbladder disease. Worse, the stones can migrate further down the duct toward the sphincter of Oddi and ampulla of Vater. This sets the stage for acute pancreatitis.
Your pancreas secretes enzymes that aid in the digestion of food within your small intestine. These enzymes are in an inactive state as they travel down the pancreatic duct toward your duodenum (the top portion of your small intestine). The pancreatic duct joins the common bile duct; together, they form a single pathway that approaches the duodenum through the ampulla of Vater. Yaz gallstones that have migrated to this area within your common bile duct can obstruct the flow of the pancreatic enzymes.
Traveling with the pancreatic fluid are inhibitors. Their job is to ensure the inactive enzymes do not suddenly become active en route to your small intestine. If stones block the passage of these digestive enzymes over a prolonged period, the inhibitors can become overpowered. The enzymes become active and start digesting the pancreas. This leads to acute inflammation.
Side Effects Of Yaz Gallstone Pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis is accompanied by intense pain similar to that caused by Yaz gallbladder disease. It begins suddenly, starting in the upper abdomen and spreading to the back. You might also experience fever and nausea. While these immediate symptoms can be debilitating, the condition can lead to more serious complications.
The damage caused by the activated pancreatic enzymes might lead to infection of the pancreas. If the infection moves into your bloodstream, it can become systemic and damage other organs.
In severe cases, portions of your pancreas may die, allowing blood and fluid to seep into your abdominal cavity. If that occurs, your blood pressure may drop – often to the point of causing shock.
Yaz gallstone pancreatitis can also lead to the formation of cyst-like masses within the pancreas. These masses are called pseudocysts. They form as the digestive enzymes, tissue, and other debris accumulate. Though rare, a pseudocyst can rupture and cause internal bleeding. It can result in death.
Fluids, Endoscopy, And Surgery
Treatment for pancreatitis is administered in stages. Once you’re hospitalized, the priority is to stabilize your blood pressure and reduce the workload placed on your pancreas. Doctors will provide pain relievers and recommend that you stop eating and drinking. Intravenous fluids are delivered while blood samples are taken to diagnose the severity of your condition.
Even in mild cases of pancreatitis, doctors will strongly recommend gallbladder removal surgery. However, while this approach addresses Yaz gallbladder problems (most notably, inflammation), it does not address the blockage of the pancreatic fluid within the common bile duct. If the offending stones do not pass naturally into your small intestine within twenty-four hours, endoscopy is necessary.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a procedure during which an endoscope is passed down your throat, through your esophagus and stomach, and into your duodenum. The endoscope can be outfitted with a small basket to retrieve stones located near the ampulla of Vater. Removing these stones restores the flow of bile and pancreatic fluid. Yaz gallstones within the bile duct can simultaneously cause gallbladder disease and acute pancreatitis. While both conditions can be serious, the latter can be life-threatening.
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Mark Anderson is the author of this article on Yaz gallbladder disease.
Find more information about Yaz lawsuit gallbladder here.
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