Gallstone Pain
Things You Need To Know About Dealing With Gallstone Pain
Gallstone pain is caused when bile has the opportunity to harden into a rock-like consistency. Your gallbladder usually contracts and then pushes the bile through your bile duct and into your small intestine. This helps your body digest fat. When a gallstone forms, it will resist evacuation, staying in your gallbladder which obstructs your bile ducts and causes pain as well as other symptoms.
Recognizing Gallstone Pain
First and most importantly, you need to discuss any symptoms that you are experienced with your doctor. If you happen to be experiencing chronic indigestion that is accompanied by gas, nausea, abdominal pain or bloating after eating foods that are high in fat, there is a good chance that you have gallstones. However, there is also a chance that you could have irritable bowel syndrome, esophageal reflux disease or peptic ulcer disease.
You need to also determine where the pain is coming from. Gallbladder pain is traditionally very intense, sudden pain that can last anywhere from half an hour to several hours. The pain is in the upper right or the middle of the abdomen that can also begin in the front area and then move toward the right shoulder blade or back.
After the initial gallbladder pain is over, soreness will often remain in the region for up to two days. An attack of pain usually happens an hour after you eat or it can even wake you up from a dead sleep. If you have ever felt gallbladder pain, it is not an experience that you are likely to forget.
It is also necessary to check your temperature. If you have gallstones that are trapped in your gallbladder, the pain will be accompanied with a fever. This requires medical attention immediately.
If you do have a fever with your gallbladder pain, jaundice may also be present which is yellowing of your skin along with the whites of your eyes. Sometimes, the pancreas can be blocked with small gallstones which can cause pancreatitis. This is an extremely serious and potentially fatal condition if not treated immediately.
Stop The Pain
Gallstone pain is not something you can just ignore, it is brutal. Your doctor may decide to prescribe salt tablets that works to dissolve smaller gallstones since these can take a bit of time to work you may also be prescribed pain medication.
It is very helpful to avoid foods that are high in cholesterol. Fruits and vegetables should be eaten in abundance and meats, cheese and eggs should be avoided. Keeping a food diary will also help your recognize a pattern of triggering foods.
Some people that experience gallbladder pain suggests that taking a hot shower and then a cold shower immediately will actually shock your system to soothe the pain. Apple cider vinegar is another fantastic remedy. Drinking a bit alone or mixed with water and honey soften the gallstones, because of its acidity.
Lastly, for serious, constant pain, surgery may be necessary. For some people, pain is only relieved after their gallbladder is removed. If you doctor recommends surgery, symptoms are almost always relieved immediately after the procedure.
Prevention
Snacking on nuts is incredibly helpful to relieve pain. They have high levels of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that prevent gallstones. Beans are also recommended to add to your diet because they are rich in fiber. Adding fiber to your diet is important to absorb cholesterol, resulting in a lowered chance of gallstones.
Exercise is very helpful for preventing gallstone pain by controlling your weight. It is a fact that being overweight increases your chance for gallstones so it is important to sweat daily. Taking a simple walk of 30 minutes or more everyday is quite often enough to prevent gallstones get some fresh air and increase your overall health.