Bile Duct Diseases
Reading this article
Topic pages summarize public health information in plain language. They may describe common causes and treatments in general terms; your own plan of care depends on your clinician’s exam, history, and tests. Use what you read here to prepare questions—not to start, stop, or change medications or to self-diagnose.
Your liver makes a digestive juice called bile. Your gallbladder stores it between meals. When you eat, your gallbladder pushes the bile into tubes called bile ducts. They carry the bile to your small intestine. The bile helps break down fat. It also helps the liver get rid of toxins and wastes.
Different diseases can block the bile ducts and cause a problem with the flow of bile:
- Gallstones, which can increase pressure in the gallbladder and cause a gallbladder attack. The pain usually lasts from one to several hours.
- Cancer
- Infections
- Birth defects, such as biliary atresia. It is the most common reason for liver transplants in children in the United States.
- Inflammation, which can cause scarring. Over time, this can lead to liver failure.
NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases