How to avoid gallstone attack

Gallbladder Attack Symptoms

When gallstones get stuck while traveling through the duct (tube) to the stomach, they block the outflow of bile, which causes the gallbladder to spasm. This usually leads to sharp pain, like being cut by a knife, under the rib cage in the upper right side or center of the abdomen.

In most cases, a gallbladder cleanse involves eating or drinking a combination of olive oil, herbs and some type of fruit juice over several hours. Proponents claim that gallbladder cleansing helps break up gallstones and stimulates the gallbladder to release them in stool.

Drink Lots of Water

Water helps the organ empty and keeps bile from building up. This protects against gallstones and other problems. Sipping more also can help you slim down. Research shows people who drink more water eat fewer calories and less sugar.

The good news is you can pass small gallstones. Dr. McKenzie says some small gallstones leave your gallbladder and pass into your bile ducts. The stones that don’t get stuck move into the small bowel and are passed in your stool.

When they try to pass through the tiny bile duct to the small intestine, inflammation and severe pain set in. Lasting from a few minutes to a few hours, the pain can feel like indigestion or similar to a feeling of fullness.

Disturbed Bowel Movements

Gallbladder issues often lead to changes in digestion and bowel movements. Unexplained and frequent diarrhea after meals can be a sign of chronic Gallbladder disease. Stools may become light-colored or chalky if bile ducts are obstructed.

Stones in the common bile duct can be removed without surgery by using a scope. Removal of the gallbladder requires surgery, which is typically done laparoscopically (a minimally invasive surgical procedure).

Sucking lemons is a simplified version of the traditional European folk remedy that combines lemon juice with olive oil to make a gallbladder “flush.” Natural healers may use this remedy to relieve symptoms of gallbladder distress, and some claim it can help you avoid surgery and gallstone removal.

Gallstones may go away on their own, but typically they do not and treatment may be required. Gallstones may not always cause symptoms, and in those cases, dietary changes may be all that is needed to prevent complications. People can live normal lives without a gallbladder.

Coffee consumption was recently found to be protective for symptomatic gallbladder disease in men (2). Men who drank at least 2 cups (473 ml) of regular coffee per day had a risk of symptomatic gallbladder disease that was 60 percent or less that of men who did not drink coffee.

Cholesterol-rich foods to avoid or eat sparingly include egg yolks, shrimp and liver. Fibre in the diet helps guard against gallstones by binding to food cholesterol and bile in the gut, causing their removal from the body.

But remember that unsaturated fats can also trigger gallstone pain. Make sure your diet is high in fibre. This can be found in beans, pulses, fruit and vegetables, oats and wholegrain products, such as bread, pasta and rice. Drink plenty of fluid – at least two litres daily, such as water or herbal teas.

Tips for eating more vegetables and fruit

Add fruit such as banana or berries or a handful of dried fruit on breakfast cereal. Add salad to your sandwich fillings. Have a healthy dessert: try whole fruit, fruit salad, fruit tinned in juice or stewed fruit.