Yasmin Gallbladder Disease Lawsuit News
One of the side effects of Yaz, Ocella and Yasmin gallbladder disease is gallstone pancreatitis. The condition develops when stones migrate from your gall bladder into your common bile duct. They travel down the biliary tract and form a blockage near the sphincter of Oddi, an outlet into your duodenum (upper portion of your small intestine). It is this portion of the duct that is used as a channel for both bile fluid and pancreatic secretions.
Your pancreas releases digestive enzymes that flow through the pancreatic duct before converging with bile fluid on its way to your small intestine. If Yaz gallstones migrate to this area of the biliary tree and form a blockage, they can prevent the passage of these digestive enzymes. Normally, the enzymes remain dormant until they reach your small intestine. However, when they are trapped within the duct, they become active and start digesting your pancreas. This triggers acute inflammation.
Below, you’ll learn the symptoms of gallstone pancreatitis along with a few serious complications that can arise. We’ll also take a brief look at how doctors treat the condition.
Symptoms Of Yasmin Gallstone Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is characterized by severe pain in your upper abdomen. The pain builds to its peak intensity within minutes and can last for several days. Once it manifests, there is little that can be done to minimize it. In fact, strenuous activity, deep breaths, and even coughing can worsen the pain.
Chills, fever, nausea, and profuse sweating are common with this Yaz gallbladder side effect. So too, might your heart race as breathing deeply becomes more difficult. You may eventually be limited to taking shallow breaths, making oxygen less available for the rest of your body. That can lead to persistent weakness. In severe cases, you might even experience bouts of unconsciousness.
Dangerous Complications
In addition to the symptoms described above, there are several potential complications – some of them life-threatening – that can have lasting effects. For example, if your pancreas becomes damaged due to inflammation, it might allow active digestive enzymes into your bloodstream. This can lead to kidney damage. Moreover, the inflammation can trigger infection, which might become systemic if it gains access to your bloodstream.
Because your pancreas produces insulin, damage to the organ can alter your blood-sugar levels. Diabetes is a potential outcome.
Another problem with Yasmin gallstone pancreatitis is that an inflamed pancreas might allow digestive enzymes, fluid, and debris, to accumulate. When this occurs, the buildup forms a cyst-like object (called a pseudocyst), which swells within the organ. If the pseudocyst ruptures, it can cause internal bleeding and infection. It is potentially fatal.
How Gallstone Pancreatitis Is Treated
If Yaz gallbladder disease causes mild pancreatitis, pain medications may be administered during a short stay in the hospital. You’ll also be required to fast for a few days in order to reduce the workload of your pancreas.
Severe cases are treated differently. Pain medications are administered intravenously to minimize your discomfort while controlling nausea and vomiting. You will be admitted into the ICU where your blood pressure, heart rhythm, and lung function will be checked. Blood tests will also be performed to examine your blood-sugar levels and white blood cell count.
In cases where Yasmin gallstones have become symptomatic, doctors will usually remove the gallbladder through surgery. This same approach is taken with gallstone pancreatitis, though the surgeon will wait until your symptoms diminish before doing with the operation. Depending on the location of the stones within your biliary tract, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) may also be necessary to remove them.
Gallbladder disease caused by Yaz, Ocella or Yasmin birth control can be dangerous if gallstones migrate deeply into the common bile duct. There, they can block the passage of pancreatic secretions, triggering pancreatitis. If you have developed stones or suffered other gallbladder problems after taking one of these birth control pills, you may be able to file a claim against the manufacturer. Contact a Yasmin gallbladder lawsuit attorney who can investigate your case.