Problems, removal, diet, and treatment of gallbladder

Gallbladder diseases
  • 12th June 2021

Gallbladder Diseases

The gallbladder is a small organ located just below the liver. Its main function is to store bile produced by the liver and release the bile into the small intestine to help digest food. Maintaining a healthy diet full of nutrient-dense foods keeps the gallbladder in perfect health. Certain foods can protect and promote a healthy gallbladder, while others increase the problems associated with it, like inflammation or gallstones.

Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet full of fruits and vegetables is the best way to improve and protect your gallbladder’s health. Fruits and vegetables are full of nutrients and fiber, the latter of which is essential to a healthy gallbladder. Some of the listed foods are either high in vitamin C, calcium, or B vitamins, which are also good for your gallbladder.

It’s thought that eating more plant-based protein could also help prevent gallbladder disease. Foods like beans, nuts, lentils, tofu, and tempeh (as long as you aren’t allergic to soy) are excellent alternatives for red meat.

The main function of the gallbladder is to concentrate and store bile formed in the liver until the body needs to digest food. Bile contains water, cholesterol, fats, bile salts, protein, and bilirubin. If bile contains too much cholesterol, bile salts, or bilirubin, then under certain conditions it can harden to form stones.

 

There are three main diseases of the biliary tract and gallbladder

1. Cholelithiasis

Formation of gallstones in the gallbladder in the absence of any infection. This may cause no symptoms.

 

2. Choledocholithiasis

In this condition, stones slip into the bile duct producing, obstruction; pain, and cramps.

 

3. Cholecystitis

This is characterized by the flow back of bile due to the obstruction in the bile duct. During such episodes, the patient feels upper quadrant abdominal pain accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and flatulence. 

 

The main risk factors associated with gallstone formation

  1. Female gender

  2. High dietary fat intake

  3. Pregnancy

  4. Low-grade chronic infections

  5. Older age

  6. Rapid weight loss through severe calorie restriction

  7. Family history

  8. Some drugs ( lipid-lowering medications, oral contraceptives)

  9. Obesity

  10.  Inflammatory bowel disease

  11. Truncal body fat distribution

  12. Diabetes Mellitus

  13. Coronary artery disease

  14.  Diets are high in refined carbohydrates and calories but low in fiber

  15.  Ignoring existing food allergies, like celiac disease

  16.  Lactose intolerance

 

Foods to eat during gallbladder stone disease

 

Gross foods to eat and avoid during gallbladder disease

Foods safe to eat in the gall bladder

stone disease

Foods not safe to eat in the gall bladder

stone disease

Bread or chapati from wheat, maize, jawar, bajra, or ragi

Thick soups and gravies

Cooked rice

whole milk or khoya

Beverages

Fried foods

Pulses or beans as thin dal, 1 cup

Papad, chutney, or pickles

Deserts as light custard, jelly ice-cream

Fatty meats

Fish or chicken

Condiments and spices

Egg

Dried fruits

Pastry only as biscuits or light cakes

Sweets or sweetmeats

Milk or milk products 

Nuts

Jam or murabba

 

Vegetable salads

 

Cooked vegetables

 

Fluids in liberal amounts

Potato, sweet potato

 

Fat for cooking if no symptoms

 

Sugar, jaggery, or honey

 

Fresh fruits

 


 

Causes behind gallbladder diseases

Some people with gallstones do not show any symptoms while others do. In those that do, symptoms of gallbladder problems can include:

 

  1. pain on the upper right side of the abdomen, especially following meals and eating fatty foods

  2. light-colored stools

  3. tea-colored urine

  4. loss of appetite

  5. low-grade fever

  6. nausea

  7. vomiting

  8. jaundice, if the gallbladder ducts are blocked

 

Gallstones can be painful. They can also block the duct that leads out of the gallbladder, if large. At that time it can be life-threatening. In these types of cases removal of the gallbladder becomes of utmost importance.

Gallbladder problems can be painful and also dangerous in some cases. To protect your gallbladder and maintain it in a healthy condition, eat the right foods and avoid the wrong ones, mainly those high in fats. Ultimately, a diet for a healthy gallbladder will benefit your overall health, keeping your whole body healthier in the long run.


 

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