Gallbladder pain, located in the upper right abdomen, can range from mild to severe. Although gallstones are the cause of this malaise, you should see your doctor to rule out other health problems. If you're not in much pain, pain relievers can offer immediate relief. In the long run, however, dietary changes will help reduce the risk of a gallstone flare-up. If the pain is severe or accompanied by fever or jaundice, see your doctor immediately.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Quickly Relieve Pain
Step 1. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever following the directions
Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen-based pain relievers, usually allow you to manage pain more quickly. Since this molecule can cause liver damage, make sure your malaise is not related to this organ before taking it.
- You should take NSAIDs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, only after consulting your doctor. These drugs can upset the stomach, eventually aggravating the pain in the gallbladder.
- If over-the-counter medications aren't effective, your doctor may prescribe an antispasmodic to relax your gallbladder.
- Take any medicine according to your doctor's instructions or those contained in the package insert.
Step 2. Apply a warm compress to the affected area
For instant relief, wrap a hot water bottle, heat pad, or compress in a cloth. Apply it on the upper right side of the abdomen and hold it for 20-30 minutes.
After the compress, get up and try to walk. Apply it every 2-3 hours in case of pain flare-up
Step 3. Try using a castor oil-based warm compress
To prepare it, dip a clean cloth in castor oil, apply it to the affected area, then cover it with cling film. Keep it for 30 minutes to relieve pain and inflammation.
Use this solution once a day for three days
Step 4. Make turmeric tea
Cut 5 cm of turmeric root and boil the slices in a pot of water so as to obtain infusion. Alternatively, you can take one 1000-2500 mg turmeric tablet per day. In addition to relieving other conditions, turmeric is used for gallbladder problems.
- While it generally has no contraindications, you should still consult your doctor before taking a turmeric herbal tea or tablet supplement.
- Turmeric and other spices make the bile contained in the gallbladder more fluid. While this effect helps relieve pain, it could cause a bile duct obstruction or other complications. See your doctor to be sure.
Step 5. Talk to your doctor before trying herbs, supplements, and other cleansing systems
There are a number of home remedies to combat gallbladder pain, but most are not backed up by scientific evidence. In addition, some herbal supplements and methods can aggravate biliary disorders, worsen other diseases and interact with drugs currently in use.
- Milk thistle, mint, chicory and other plant substances allegedly relieve pain related to gallstones. However, they could also clog the bile duct and lead to further complications.
- You've probably heard that apple cider vinegar and olive oil help cleanse the gallbladder, but these considerations aren't backed up by any evidence. Also, replacing solid meals with a cleansing liquid diet can actually make gallstones worse.
- Some people drink salt water to cleanse the digestive system, but it is not a safe method and should be avoided.
Step 6. Relieve digestive problems with betaine hydrochloride supplements
While they don't act directly on the gallbladder, they help improve digestion and relieve related symptoms, including bloating, belching, and nausea. The standard dose is at least 600 mg at each meal.
- You can buy betaine hydrochloride supplements on the Internet or at a pharmacy.
- Ask your doctor if they are suitable for your needs. Do not take them if you suffer from heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux, gastritis or stomach ulcer. Stop them if you feel a burning sensation in your stomach.
Part 2 of 3: Changing the Power
Step 1. Drink at least 2 liters of water per day
Water is good for your health and can help your body break down substances that promote the formation of gallstones. You need to stay hydrated especially if you have diarrhea related to inflammation of the gallbladder.
Consuming 2 liters of water per day is a general guideline, but you need to drink more when it's hot or working out. If you sweat a lot or work outdoors and are exposed to high temperatures, try taking 500-1000ml every hour
Step 2. Eat more fiber-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
The fibers help reduce the cholesterol content in the bile, preventing the formation of gallstones. Excellent sources of fiber are raw fruits and vegetables (especially green leafy ones), lentils, rice, pasta, bread and whole grains.
If you have recently had a gallbladder surgery or are following a particular diet, consult your doctor to find out how much fiber you can ingest
Step 3. Increase your consumption of citrus fruits and other sources of vitamin C
Vitamin C can help the body dissolve cholesterol by preventing the flare-up of gallstones. Get at least 75-90 mg of vitamin C per day. This is the approximate amount contained in a glass of orange juice or a medium-sized orange, so you won't have a hard time meeting your daily requirement.
- Sources of vitamin C include other citrus fruits, such as grapefruit, but also kiwis, strawberries, and red and green peppers.
- You could also ask your doctor if you can take a vitamin C supplement on a daily basis. Remember that your body absorbs nutrients better from food than from supplements.
Step 4. Limit your consumption of refined carbohydrates and added sugars
Refined carbohydrates are contained in non-whole grains, such as bread, rice and white flour. While the natural sugars found in fruits and vegetables have no contraindications, you should try to avoid products with added sugars, such as candy, sweets, and soft drinks.
Refined carbohydrates and added sugars carry an increased risk of gallstones
Step 5. Go for healthy fats and oils in moderation
Omega-3 fatty acids and unsaturated fats are healthier options than hydrogenated and trans fats. Sources rich in beneficial fats and oils include salmon, trout, avocado, olive oil, and canola. This food category should comprise about 20% of the daily calories or about 44 g in a 2000 calorie diet.
- Healthy fats are important because by eliminating harmful fats from your diet, you run a lower risk of suffering from gallstones.
- While healthy fats are important, avoiding harmful ones, such as saturated and trans fats, is also vital because they can increase the risk of recurrent gallbladder pain. Therefore, you should eliminate fried foods, margarine-flavored foods, highly marbled cuts of beef and pork, chicken skin, lard, and other unhealthy fats.
- Also, read the nutrition tables to know the cholesterol content. Adults should not consume more than 300 mg of cholesterol per day. In some cases, your doctor might recommend a daily intake of 100 mg or less.
Step 6. Avoid skipping meals or crash diets
It is essential to eat at regular intervals. When the body goes without food for a long period of time, the liver releases excess cholesterol into the bile with the risk of suffering from gallstones.
If you are obese or overweight, gradual weight loss can be beneficial for your gallbladder. Aim to lose 5-10% of your initial weight within 6 months
Part 3 of 3: Medical Care
Step 1. See your doctor if symptoms are persistent or severe
If mild upper right abdominal pain lasts more than a few days, see your doctor. For more severe symptoms, go to the emergency room.
- Severe symptoms include severe pain that prevents you from sitting or moving your stomach, fever, chills, and yellowish skin and eyes.
- If you suspect that you have gallbladder problems, you should consult your doctor before attempting to treat yourself.
Step 2. Work with your doctor to find the right therapy
Tell them about your symptoms, your medical history, and any medications you may be taking. Ask him if you need to undergo any tests, such as blood tests or an ultrasound. These tests will help him make an accurate diagnosis and plan the best therapy.
- Although gallstones cause pain in the upper right abdomen, the symptoms can be related to an infection, bile duct obstruction, or another health problem.
- Treatment options for gallstones and bile flow obstruction include surgical removal of the gallbladder, endoscopic (non-surgical) stone removal, use of stone breakdown drugs, and ultrasound therapy. to shatter them.
- If you have a gallbladder infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics. If it is severe, excision may be required.
Step 3. Follow the doctor's instructions for the postoperative course
In case of surgery, you will need to take care of the surgical site following the doctor's instructions. Although the hospitalization could last a week, many times he is discharged the day after the surgery.
- After the operation, you will likely need to follow a liquid-based diet to help your gallbladder rest. Whether in the case of a surgical procedure or non-surgical treatment, it is likely that you will have to adhere to a low-cholesterol diet indefinitely in order not to compromise the function of the gallbladder.
- More frequent bowel movements and diarrheal discharges may occur after surgery, but these are usually temporary.
Advice
- Beyond the other health benefits, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption can reduce the risk of gallstones and gallbladder disorders.
- If gallbladder pain is recurring, avoid any diet and sports that promote rapid weight loss, otherwise the risk of suffering from gallstones may increase.
Warnings
- Check with your doctor before trying to relieve pain on your own. Gallstones, the onset of an infection or a bile duct obstruction may result in immediate hospitalization in the emergency room.
- If the pain lasts more than 6 hours at a time, is accompanied by fever or vomiting, or is severe enough to prevent you from leading a regular life, call emergency services immediately.
