Yasmin Lawsuit Settlements

by Steve Fields on July 14th, 2010

Yasmin, Ocella, Yaz and gallstones rarely cause problems in the biliary tract. Once the stones form, they often remain inside the gallbladder for years without triggering symptoms. They can, however, become symptomatic at any time. If you have suffered from gallbladder side effects please contact us for the latest Yaz and Yasmin lawsuit settlements news and information.

If the stones stay inside the gall bladder, they might block the organ’s opening, and thus trap bile fluid within. This allows bile to become stale. In its concentrated form, it causes inflammation of the organ’s inner wall. You may experience sharp and persistent abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms are usually sufficient to prompt most people to seek hospitalization. Doctors typically recommend gallbladder removal surgery as the primary treatment.

Yaz and gallstones may also leave the gall bladder and migrate into the common bile duct. When this happens, the stones pose a risk of more serious consequences. Some can become life-threatening.

Biliary Colic

This is a common side effect of Yasmin gallbladder disease. It is defined as abdominal pain that accompanies inflammation of the organ. When fats arrive in your small intestine, a hormone called cholecystokinin is released. This hormone tells the gall bladder to contract, pushing concentrated bile fluid into the cystic duct. The fluid then flows from the cystic duct into the common bile duct before exiting through the sphincter of Oddi into your duodenum.

Gallstones that migrate into the bile duct and cause an obstruction prevent the passage of bile fluid. As a result, bile begins to back up within the upper portion of your biliary tree. This in turn prevents bile from leaving your gall bladder; it grows stale within the organ and causes inflammation and pain.

Infected Bile Duct

Bacteria is typically present in bile fluid. As long as passage through the bile duct remains unimpeded, the spread of bacteria is controlled. Hence, there are rarely problems. When gallstones cause an obstruction, however, bacterial colonization becomes a risk. It can evolve into infection, a condition known as cholangitis.

With the presence of bile duct stones, bacteria also gains entry into the duct from the duodenum. It ascends the biliary tract and further colonizes it, causing additional infection. Infection spreads upwards through the biliary tree toward the liver, eventually causing liver damage and kidney failure. In extreme cases, bacteria enters the bloodstream and causes sepsis.

Inflamed Pancreas

Bile duct stones may migrate further downstream, past the juncture where the bile duct merges with the pancreatic duct. If they cause an obstruction, they will prevent the passage of pancreatic secretions. These secretions include digestive enzymes, which remain in an inactive state as they flow through the pancreatic duct. These enzymes travel with inhibitors that are responsible for keeping them in this state.

An obstruction in the lower portion of the biliary tree causes the digestive enzymes from the pancreas to accumulate. If the blockage persists, the inhibitors will become overpowered. The enzymes become active, and begin to digest the cells of the pancreas. This causes severe inflammation and leads to acute pancreatitis.

Prolonged inflammation from the activated digestive enzymes causes damage to the pancreas. This allows toxins to gain entry into your bloodstream. Your blood pressure will drop, which in turn prevents blood from being pushed to other organs, such as the kidneys, liver, and heart. In severe cases of acute pancreatitis, portions of the pancreas begin to die (i.e. necrosis). Blood and pancreatic secretions leak into the abdominal cavity, and ultimately cause shock.

While gallstones typically remain “silent” (i.e. asymptomatic), they may suddenly cause serious problems. If they migrate into the common bile duct, they can set the stage for biliary colic, infection, and acute pancreatitis, a dangerous and potentially life-threatening condition. Immediate medical attention is critical.

If you have suffered from Yaz gallbladder disease, gallstones, or related problems with the biliary tract, you may be able to file a claim for compensation. Contact an experienced Yasmin lawsuit gallbladder attorney to discuss your case.