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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Have A Low Functioning Gall Bladder. Abdominal Pain, Cough. Mild Restrictive Obstruction Disease In Pulmonary Function Test

I am a 56 year old female, recently diagnosed with a low functioning gallbladder. I had an attack in the middle of the night about four weeks ago which resulted in an emergency room visit. They ran all the necessary tests to rule out heart involvement and suspected a gallbladder issue. Since then, I have had an ultra sound and a HIda scan. The ultra sound showed sludge in the gallbladder and the HIda scan confirmed low function at 20 percent. My symptoms include an intermittent dull ache in the upper abdomen, but mostly gastrointestinal issues. I am not overweight, adhere to a healthy, low fat diet, due to a heart disease history in my family. I don't smoke or drink alcohol, and make an effort to exercise regularly. My question is related to symptoms that may appear to be unrelated. I have had a chronic cough for several years now. Already have had a work up done to try to diagnose the problem. The results of a pulmonary function test showed that I have mild restrictive obstruction disease. Those symptoms seem to have worsened with my gallbladder problems. Now, finally my question. Could there be a link between my chronic coughing and the low functioning gallbladder I've been diagnosed with? Is surgery indicated?
posted on Mon, 6 May 2013
Twitter Mon, 6 May 2013 Answered on
Twitter Tue, 7 May 2013 Last reviewed on
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

There is no direct connection between gallbladder problem and lungs problem. But there is a great connection between gastric problems and asthma disease.
You need to know that acid reflux disease is very often associated with an asthma. So it is possible that your abdominal pain which is thought to be from your gallbladder, can be caused by stomach disease. Stomach diseases usually give upper middle abdominal pain. It usually appears 1-2 hours after a meal. Nausea and vomiting can be also present.
Acid reflux disease can lead to peptic ulcers.

That is why, before any surgery, I suggest you to have gastroscopy performed and stomach condition checked. During this test, Helicobacter Pylori infection will be also checked and if present, antibiotics are necessary.
If the gastroscopy will be negative, than you can decide to have gallbladder removal.

In a meanwhile please avoid fatty foods, spicy foods, fried foods, alcohol, coffee.

Hope this will help.
Regards.
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Have A Low Functioning Gall Bladder. Abdominal Pain, Cough. Mild Restrictive Obstruction Disease In Pulmonary Function Test

Hello! Thank you for the query. There is no direct connection between gallbladder problem and lungs problem. But there is a great connection between gastric problems and asthma disease. You need to know that acid reflux disease is very often associated with an asthma. So it is possible that your abdominal pain which is thought to be from your gallbladder, can be caused by stomach disease. Stomach diseases usually give upper middle abdominal pain. It usually appears 1-2 hours after a meal. Nausea and vomiting can be also present. Acid reflux disease can lead to peptic ulcers. That is why, before any surgery, I suggest you to have gastroscopy performed and stomach condition checked. During this test, Helicobacter Pylori infection will be also checked and if present, antibiotics are necessary. If the gastroscopy will be negative, than you can decide to have gallbladder removal. In a meanwhile please avoid fatty foods, spicy foods, fried foods, alcohol, coffee. Hope this will help. Regards.