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The Gallbladder is a small pear-shaped organ located behind the liver. Its main function is to store bile and to release it (into the liver) to aid digestion. Bile contains (among other things) acids which help in breaking down food while digestion. Sometimes (most often due to a dietary problem or too much cholesterol) gallstones may form.
The major symptom of gallstones is pain: in the right side of the ribcage (where the gall bladder is located). Some sufferers complain of excruciating pain, others of radiating pain which spreads to the entire back and chest. The duration of such "attacks" of pain also varies from one hour to twelve hour episodes. It generally gets worse at night. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, bloating and belching soon after a meal.
Since gallstones are a digestive malady, treatment mainly entails dietary changes. A severe attack may also warrant hospitalization and surgery to remove the gallbladder. But in most cases rest, combined with a special diet helps in combating the pain from gallstones.
- When having a gallstone attack, be sure to avoid eggs, pork, milk, nuts, and alcohol, citrus fruits like grapefruit and oranges and caffeine in all forms. These foods are all difficult to digest and aggravate the gallbladder malfunction and worsen discomfort.
- Instead, try and eat easy to digest foods with low acidic levels and plenty of fiber like fresh vegetables, fruits like avocado, apricot, berries, apples, guavas, currants, pears, prunes and figs.
- Drink plenty of water to balance the digestive juices.
- Turmeric and root ginger have long been known to help with digestive maladies. Try and consume a teaspoon of each a day.
- Aloe Vera juice is also said to alleviate gallbladder pain as is cucumber and cucumber juice.
- Boil a tablespoon of flax seeds in a pint of water and let stand for 10 minutes. Strain and drink a few sips throughout the day for relief.
- Grate a beetroot and add the juice of a lemon and a tablespoon of olive oil and eat a little at least six times a day.
Please remember that pain or discomfort of any sort in the chest must first be reported to your doctor. He/she will first conduct a number of tests and scans to confirm the diagnosis and rule out appendicitis or liver malfunction. Only follow the above measures after you are certain of your diagnosis. If the problem persists for over two weeks, you need to go back to your doctor. An alternative treatment, possibly surgery may then be advised.
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