Many Situations Can Affect The Gallbladder

Horses never have gallstones because, like many animals, they don't have gallbladders. It’s a true fact. What more people don’t realize is that for many humans, the gallbladder is an organ you can live without, too.

Your gallbladder stores bile, a digestive fluid made by the liver. Sometimes substances in your bile, usually cholesterol, crystallize into gallstones. Some stones don't cause any symptoms. They are called silent stones and don't require treatment. When gallstones grow large or block any of the ducts that carry bile from the liver to the small intestine, they can set off intense pain in your right side or upper abdomen. The discomfort may radiate to your right shoulder or between your shoulder blades. These symptoms are often mistaken for those of a heart attack, appendicitis or irritable bowel syndrome.

If any of the ducts remain blocked for a significant period of time, damage can occur to the gallbladder and other organs. Warning signs of a serious problem are constant pain, fever, and jaundice. Treatment sometimes involves surgically removing the gallstones or the gallbladder. Upon removal of the gallbladder, bile will flow out of the liver and right into the small intestine. Many conditions and actions can affect the health of your gallbladder.

1 - Being Overweight or Obese

Obesity significantly raises the danger of developing gallbladder problems, especially for women. High cholesterol connected with being overweight is particularly risky. Experts say extra weight hurts your health even more than smoking or heavy drinking. It increases your risk for gallbladder disease not to mention many other serious medical conditions. If you are overweight, starting on a healthy weight-loss plan now may add years to your life. In an effort to reduce your weight, you are likely to eat more nutritious foods and practice a healthier lifestyle in other ways, too.

2 - Yo-Yo Dieting

Some scientists believe that irregular, low-calorie meals (800 calories a day or less) cause too much cholesterol to stay in the gallbladder, where it settles into clumps that later form gallstones. So first of all, don’t skip meals, especially breakfast. It’s the most important meal of the day if you want to avoid this painful problem. Your gallbladder needs to empty regularly, and it only does this when your digestive system is working. Be sure to eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Balance this with lean meat for protein and a moderate amount of low-sugar carbohydrates to round up the calories. A slow but steady weight loss plan is safest.

3 - Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Women undergoing hormone replacement therapy are at higher risk for developing gallstones. One study found those with heart disease taking HRT were 40 percent more likely to develop gallbladder disease. A doctor can know if that’s a serious problem in the method of HRT being undergone. Because of the scope and danger of these side effects, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now advises doctors to prescribe HRT only when benefits clearly outweigh health risks.

4 - Miscellaneous

Bear in mind that, along with the above medical conditions, family history, age, gender and medications can influence the development of gallbladder problems. These problems are common, with more than 800,000 people in the United States needing gallbladder removal every year. Many more have gallstones but don’t need their gallbladders removed. To avoid gallbladder issues, eat healthy, exercise and be mindful of any changes in your body.