Some health problems may arise silently within our bodies and you won’t be aware until you feel pain. One of the major threats is gallbladder stones, a condition that impacts millions of people across the globe. About 6 percent of the population in India suffer from gallstones, majorly seen in women. There is a need for prevention of gallbladder stones. In this blog, let us discuss in-depth about how to prevent gallbladder stones:
What Are Gallstones?
You may find the formation of gallbladder stones in your body when bile is stored hard like a stone in the gallbladder. Excess of bile pigment, cholesterol or even bile salts leads to gallstones. You might be aware that you have gallstones until they cause pain or block your bile duct which requires urgent medical attention.
Cholelithiasis is a term when gallbladder stones are found in gallbladder and choledocholithiasis is a term when gallbladder stones are found in bile ducts. Gallbladder formation may lead to pancreatic infection in your body.
Types of Gallbladder Stones
Three main types of gallstones are:
- Pigmented gallbladder stones: Pigmented gallstones are formed from bilirubin and calcium salts. These gallstones are seen as less common in individuals compared to the other two gallstones.
- Cholesterol gallbladder stones: These are formed if your bile has high cholesterol and 9 in 10 individuals suffer from cholesterol gallbladder stones
- Mixed gallbladder stones: Mixed gallbladders include pigment and cholesterol
What Causes Gallbladder Stones?
Here are some of the reasons that lead to gallstone formation:
1. Bile contains excess cholesterol.
Chemicals are present in the bile salt that dissolve the cholesterol and are excreted by the liver. The liver excretes a high amount of cholesterol and bile dissolves and this high amount of cholesterol forms crystals that are called gallbladder stones.
2. Bile contains excess bilirubin.
Bilirubin is formed when the body breaks down RBC (Red blood cells). If you are suffering from blood disorders or liver cirrhosis, then the liver will produce excess bilirubin and it will lead to gallstone formation.
3. The gallbladder doesn’t empty regularly.
If you experience that gallbladder does not empty regularly, then concentration of bile occurs and gallbladder stones are formed in your body.
Signs and Symptoms of Gallbladder Stones
Heavy eating might lead to a gallbladder stone attack.
Signs of gallbladder stones differ from one person to another.
Major signs seen among individuals with gallstones are:
- Yellowing of skin
- Yellowing of eyes
- Pain in the right shoulder
- Pain in the back between the shoulders
- Jaundice
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- High chills with fever
- Back pain
- Pain in the abdomen in the upper right area
When Should You Visit The Gastroenterologist?
If you have gallbladder stones signs that concern you, like yellowing of skin or eyes, pain in the upper right part of the abdomen that lasts for long hours, fever and chills or if you have trouble digesting fats or abdominal tenderness then you must schedule an appointment or visit Gastroenterologist. Ensure to book an appointment if you have excess gallbladder pain so that you will arrive on time and consult with a gastroenterologist.
How to Prevent Gallbladder Stones?
Let us discuss the top 7 ways to prevent gallstones including:
1. Eat Foods Rich in Fibre
For gallbladder disease prevention, ensure to eat fibre-rich foods such as legumes, fish, beans, walnuts, cereals, whole-grain bread, olive oil and legumes.
2. Maintain a healthy weight.
Obesity leads to the formation of gallbladder formation. For gallbladder stone prevention, ensure to maintain a healthy weight as it will help you to prevent developing gallbladder stones. Ensure to plan a daily routine and reach a desired weight for the prevention of gallstones.
3. Exercise
If you have a sedentary lifestyle then you should move for gallbladder stone prevention. Lack of movement or exercise will lead to gallbladder stone formation and it will affect the process of your digestion. Due to this, bile will not get removed from your gallbladder properly. In order to decrease your risk of gallbladder stones, ensure to exercise 150 minutes every week.
4. Heated Compress
When you apply heat, you will feel relieved from your gallbladder pain. You may take a cloth soaked in warm water and apply it to the part where you are experiencing gallbladder pain.
5. Stick to Healthy Fats.
There are fats present in canola oil, olive oil and omega-3 fatty acids, so ensure to eat flaxseed and fish that will keep your gallbladder fit and prevent gallstone formation. High cholesterol will lead to gallbladder cholesterol formation so be sure to drink low-fat milk to maintain your cholesterol levels and prevent cholesterol gallbladder stone formation.
6. Acupuncture
Biliary colic pain is reduced with acupuncture so if you are suffering from gallbladder stone disease, ensure to take acupuncture therapy for prevention of gallbladder stone formation. Ensure to consult a gastroenterologist before taking acupuncture therapy if you have any health condition.
7. Take preventive medications
If you are consuming birth control pills, obese or have gone through replacement therapy of hormones then you should consult your gastroenterologist to know if you should take any preventive medication to reduce your risks of gallbladder stone formation.
Conclusion
Gallbladder stone leads to severe gallbladder attacks that might need surgery, but you should follow these top 7 ways discussed above to prevent Gallbladder stones the formation of gallbladder stones in your body. Ensure to eat less saturated fat and increase movement or physical exercise will aid you in preventing gallbladder stones.
Preventing gallbladder stones is possible with healthy lifestyle choices, including diet and regular exercise. However, if symptoms persist or complications arise, timely medical intervention is essential. Dr. Kapil Agrawal, the best gallbladder surgeon in Delhi, offers expert care and guidance for long-term gallbladder health.
