Learn To Recognize Gallbladder Pain Symptoms
If you have experienced gallbladder pain then you know the severe, awful attack and will likely do just about anything to prevent it from coming back. Many people rush to the ER with gallstone symptoms during their first severe attack, bewildered and concerned. This deep, intense pain that radiates from the abdomen to the chest back or right shoulder, is usually not relieved with over the counter pain medication.
As one of the most commonly performed surgeries in North America today, cholecystectomy or, gallbladder removal, is typically advised for those suffering symptoms. In fact, it is recommended for those with much milder symptoms too. There are alternatives to surgical gallstone removal, however, and they carry none of the long-term health risks.
Reducing gallbladder pain is just the start. If you want a healthy digestive system and relief from pain, you need to remove the cause of your gallstone pain, and the cause of your gallstones.
Gallstones are typically made up of hardened cholesterol deposits but can consist of bilirubin and bile salts too. When the proper balance of ingredients in your bile is not right, bile thickening or stones forming is the outcome. And while many people carry around gallstones ranging in size, with little to no noticeable issue, eventually gallbladder irritation, or a blocked duct can occur, and symptoms ensue.
Symptoms of a blocked bile duct include:
- Upper abdominal pain that lasts between 15 minutes to several hours
- Pain which radiates to the upper back or right shoulder blade
- Nausea or vomiting
- Gas, Bloating and indigestion
- Intolerance to fatty foods and meals containing high amounts of fat
- Diarrhea
When the condition is chronic:
- Light coloured stools and darkened urine
- Jaundice ( yellow skin)
- Fever or chills
Finding the source of gallstones usually means looking at diet and lifestyle. There are a few risk factors which cannot be controlled, including being female, over 40, Scandinavian or Native American, or if gallstones run in your family. The main reason women are more prone is that high levels of estrogen can trigger gallstone formation.
During pregnancy and menopause is when many people are first bothered by this problem. One way that you can lower this risk or help to reverse the issue is by not taking hormones if possible. Birth control methods which do not include consuming estrogen are available and will be worth considering if you are forming gallstones.
Another factor which you can help to reduce is obesity. High levels of blood cholesterol will lead to higher levels in the bile. As well, there is some evidence to suggest that an increase in inflammation for obese people can add to pain and irritation of the gallbladder. When you are aiming to look weight, however, do so slowly and sustainably. Crash diets, starvation and rapid weight loss may actually trigger more gallstones to form.
A gallbladder diet can reduce gallbladder pain and support healthy liver and gallbladder function so that they do not form again. Natural gallbladder flush recipes often involve lemon juice, apple juice, Epsom salts and olive oil. These is safe and quite effective gallbladder treatment. Once you have eliminated stones, you can keep working on your overall health and diet changes to prevent their return.
