Acute gallbladder disease

Abstract

A century ago, William Mayo M.D. declared that there was no such thing as an innocent gallstone. We now understand that this is not true and that most gallstones are asymptomatic. Gallbladder disease is very common worldwide and this article aims to outline the incidence, aetiology, presentation and management of gallbladder disease. Complications can be life-threatening and require urgent referral. Adjustments to lifestyle may help prevent the development of gallbladder disease. The GP curriculum and gallbladder disease Clinical module 3.03: Care of acutely ill people requires GPs to:. Prioritise problems and establish a differential diagnosis. Be aware of how the management of patients with continuing conditions affects the need to give urgent and unscheduled care Clinical module 3.01: Healthy people, promoting health and preventing disease requires GPs to comprehend that:. Factors predisposing to poor health operate across the whole life course from pre-birth to old age. The epidemiology of new illness presenting in general practice requires a normality-orientated approach, reducing medicalisation and promoting self-care