My mother-in-law has been weak, sitting in her recliner 24/7 (due to knee pain ) and not even going to the bathroom. She has been using the bedsite portable potty for about a month. She has a history of alcoholism . We just got results of blood work--no sign of hepatitis . Abdominal scan showed gallbladder was distended. She also has a silent UTI. Still has dark urine. Today we were told we were being referred to a gastroenterologist . What are they looking for?
Hi thanks for your question. Alcoholic,Knee pain, silent UTI and finally distended gall bladder. The treating physician has to fix a priority, which condition is more serious and needs urgent attenuation of a specialist. So I think you should have asked this question from treating physician who may be able to explain you better. In my opinion reason for referral to the gastroenterologist could be a very much listened gallbladder, which may rupture leading to biliary peritonitis with high mortality. The cause of distension of gallbladder must be the one which could be managed by non-surgical means. Hope this answers your question.