If you remember, sickle cells have a sixteen-day life span as opposed to healthy cells one hundred twenty days. When red blood cells die their hemoglobin is released, which the body then turns into a compound called bilirubin. When there is too much bilirubin in the body, gallstones form in the gallbladder.
The gallbladder is the organ that helps the body process all the good fatty foods people love to eat. A fluid known as bile is produced in the gallbladder which the gallbladder releases in the intestines during the digestive process.
When gallstones form, they block the flow of bile from the gallbladder to the intestines. People suffering from gallstones will often feel pain in the upper right side of their stomach after eating fatty foods. Fever, yellowing of the eyes (called jaundice), chills, nausea, and vomiting are some of the symptoms that accompany gallstones.
Gallstone formation is a problem many people have in their adulthood. For those of us who have Sickle Cell, gallstones are a complication that can arise early in life and can be a recurring problem. For this reason, if and when gallstones begin to form in a Sickle Cell patient, the gallbladder is often removed.
The gallbladder is one of those organs the human body seems to be able to live without just fine. Though people who have theirs removed often have trouble eating fatty, greasy foods thereafter. So no more ordering chili cheese fries and a hot pastrami sandwich with onion rings on the side. My gallbladder was removed at age sixteen. Now my body is far less tolerant of the foods I named above that I once loved so much. Bummer for me.
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