What Is Biliary Dyskinesia?

• A disorder affecting the normal movement (motility) of the gallbladder
• Gallbladder doesn’t empty properly, leading to pain and digestion issues
• No gallstones are present
• Considered a functional gallbladder disorder

What Causes It?

• Abnormal gallbladder muscle contractions
• Hormonal imbalances
• Nerve dysfunction affecting bile flow
• Unknown in many cases

What Are the Symptoms?

• Upper right abdominal pain (especially after eating fatty foods)
• Nausea or vomiting
• Bloating
• Indigestion
• Pain that comes and goes, may last for hours
• No visible stones on imaging

How Is It Diagnosed?

• Ultrasound to rule out gallstones
• HIDA scan (Hepatobiliary Iminodiacetic Acid scan) to check gallbladder function
• Ejection fraction below 35% on HIDA scan may indicate biliary dyskinesia
• Blood tests to rule out liver or pancreatic issues

What Is the Treatment?

• Low-fat diet
• Pain management
• Medications to improve gallbladder motility (in some cases)
• Cholecystectomy – surgical removal of the gallbladder if symptoms are severe or persistent

What Are the Risk Factors?

• Female gender
• Age 20–50
• Obesity
• Family history of gallbladder disease
• History of rapid weight loss

Can It Be Prevented?

• Eating a healthy, balanced diet
• Avoiding rapid weight loss
• Managing cholesterol and fat intake
• Regular physical activity

When to See a Doctor?

• Persistent or recurring upper abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting after meals
• Pain with no clear cause and normal imaging
• Symptoms interfere with daily life or eating