Stop Gallbladder Pain In Its Tracks With These 3 Solutions
For millions of Americans, the sudden, extreme gallbladder pain from an attack causes is a scary experience. Often, subtle warning signs that the gallbladder isn’t functioning well will go unnoticed and a full-on attack of biliary colic will seemingly come out of the blue.
Because the pain stemming from the opening of the gallbladder or cystic duct, may radiate to the back, shoulder or chest, understanding the nature of this pain can be difficult for many people.
When a gallstone becomes stuck in the opening of the gallbladder or a duct, this puts pressure on the phrenic nerve which connects all the way up to the shoulder, neck and head. The visceral ache, spasms and nerve pain gallbladders trigger, are not relieved by over the counter medications.
Luckily, there are a few safe and effective home remedies which provide fast relief from gallbladder pain. Unless you experience fever, vomiting, chills or pain that lasts several hours, you can get relief with common household ingredients, then think about long term solutions to restore a healthy gallbladder.
Gallstones don’t cause pain, and many people have them without knowing it, but when a stone is stuck, bile can’t move through the ducts and the blockage hurts. Roughly 3% of people with chronic gallstone blockages will develop inflammation or infection requiring surgical removal.
For everyone else, increasing the flow of bile, relaxing inflammation and softening gallstones provides relief.
Sip a mixture of raw apple cider vinegar. 2-3 tablespoons of ACV in a glass of apple juice, drank slowly during the attack, often helps to relieve pain in as little as 15 minutes.
ACV is believed to greatly boost the production of bile which helps flush out sludge and blockages. The malic acid in apples is also believed to soften cholesterol gallstones and ease their passage. Those who suffer chronic gallstone issues are advised to make raw, organic apple juice and ACV a part of their daily diet.
Not only can a magnesium deficiency lead to the formation of gallstones but sipping a mixture of magnesium in warm water during a gallbladder attack can help relax gallbladder spasms and reduce inflammation. Mix one tablespoon in water and sip as needed every few hours.
Warm compresses and heating pads work wonders for gallbladder pain in the abdomen or back. The heat helps sooth inflammatory responses and relax muscles.
Castor oil compresses are also believed to help relax and release stones causing blockages and are applied with heat. Be sure the compress is not so hot that it burns your skin and apply a protective cloth layer.
Many more dietary solutions can help provide not only fast relief during an attack, but taken daily, they also help to prevent gallstone formation and keep the bile flowing freely. Great digestion and pain-free living start with diet and lifestyle choices. Be sure to see our additional gallbladder diet blogs for more tips.
