Gallbladder Pain Relief

The gallbladder, also referred to as cholecyst, is a tiny pear-shaped organ situated above the liver. It is 4 centimeters in diameter and 8 centimeters in length. It produces and stores bile which breaks down ingested fats, thus helping in the digestion process and in the absorption of fat soluble vitamins K, A, D and E. An adult gallbladder stores almost 50 ml of bile. Infection and inflammation in the gallbladder can cause pain, which can be very intense. The intensity of pain can become so severe that recourse becomes essential.

Causes

Gallbladder malfunction can affect our digestive system. Symptoms like nausea and vomiting may at times, be accompanied by acute pain in the right side of the abdomen. After a few days, pain in the lower back and ribs is also experienced which can be accompanied by diarrhea, fever, jaundice and abdominal bloating. It can also cause liver damage.

People who consume diets high in cholesterol are more prone to gallbladder pain, as the latter causes gallstones (hard lumps of cholesterol). These gallstones cause pain in the abdomen, especially after eating.

Pain Relief

• The most important thing to be considered in order to get relief is diet. Make sure that your diet contains less amount of cholesterol and saturated fats. You can also opt for gallbladder flushing, which induces cleansing. This cleansing will help in elimination of gallstones. Fresh pear juice can reduce the pain to some extent. Apple cider vinegar and apple juice also relieve the pain. It is better, if you opt for organic apple juice, as it is more effective. Apple cider vinegar is the best for digestive system. Lemon juice is also a great remedy for relieving the pain. Try to increase the consumption of liquids, like soups and juices. Increase the intake of monounsaturated fats. This helps in emptying the gallbladder and also reduces the gallstones, which thus relieves the gallbladder pain. In order to increase monounsaturated fats, consume olive oil, canola oil, fish oil and flaxseed. They will also increase the amount of omega 3 fatty acids, which is required for the functioning of the gallbladder. You should also include high fiber fruits, vegetables, wheat germ, eggs, soy bean products and nuts in your diet daily. These food products help in building up bile, which reduces the chances of gallbladder pain and attack.
• A heating pad or warm compress can also be used to relieve the pain. Painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs and antacids can be used for instant pain relief. Antibiotics are an option for gallbladder pain resulting from an infection in the body. You can use antibiotics to get rid of this infection and also for reducing the pain to some extent. But, the best option is to visit a medical practitioner and follow his instructions. The medication provided by the doctor will help you get rid of the pain immediately and the chances of recurrence will be less. Moreover, it may also ensure prevention of other gallbladder diseases.
• Make sure that you maintain a stable and balanced weight as weight fluctuations can cause a lot of damage. An ideal and stable body weight will decrease the chances of gallbladder attack. A person suffering from gallbladder pain should exercise at least for 90 minutes in a week.

The last option is surgical intervention, but there are several complications involved. Also, post gallbladder removal, diet should contain a decreased amount of cholesterol. It is essential not to delay treating the gallbladder pain, so as to avoid any complications, like bursting of the duct or other gallbladder-related issues.