Following A Gallstones Diet Can Improve Overall Health

People who actually have gallstones are often unaware that they exist until a problem arises. Most of the time this unassuming pear-shaped organ does its job quietly, pumping bile into the upper intestinal reaches, and helping transform fats into a more easily absorbed form. Small, hard bodies commonly called stones can grow inside the gall bladder over time, and following a gallstones diet can sometimes reduce the chances of them appearing.

There is an increased genetic propensity to develop this problem found in certain groups, including people of Scandinavian, Mexican and Native American backgrounds. People who have close relatives with these stones are more likely to develop them themselves. There are several different varieties, including those consisting primarily of cholesterol, and stones known by color.

Although important nutritionally, food is not actually a primary cause, nor is an elevated level of cholesterol in the blood. Gender plays the biggest role, with more women than men affected. The problem becomes increasingly common with age, and overweight people considered obese are more likely to form stones. Physical issues common during pregnancy play a part, as do the increased hormone levels associated with some forms of birth control.

People who undergo a rapid loss of weight are at a greater risk. Individuals with high levels of triglycerides commonly face the same issue, as do many who suffer from Crohn’s disease. Even among these groups, however, there may be no symptoms for years. These so-called silent stones are often discovered during unrelated ultrasound tests or X-ray examination.

Symptoms may appear suddenly, with the onset of sharp pain. Termed biliary colic, this type of discomfort is very specific to gallstone attacks. When a stone obstructs the free flow of bile, a strong pain occurs that may vary in intensity, and can last anywhere from a few minutes to four or five hours. Often accompanied by nausea, it can be a sources of extreme discomfort.

Once the first attack has happened, the chances for a second one increase. As the stones pass through the ducts or are dislodged from their openings, normal activity resumes until the next blockage. While most sufferers do not experience complications, an attack that lasts more than five hours may be a sign of cholecystitis, a type of inflammation that can lead to infection.

Because the problem tends to be progressive, once diagnosed the most common solution is surgery, often performed via a very small incision. After removal, most patients are advised to carefully follow a low fat regimen that is high in unprocessed and whole foods, low in sugar, and which includes an adequate amount of fruits and vegetables high in fiber.

A gallstones diet can improve health in general, and there are indications that it also can significantly decrease the chances of developing stones. Most doctors agree that changes in eating habits alone will not prevent or cure gallbladder attacks, but can play a very important role in reducing risk factors. A slow, steady loss of weight not only helps the gallbladder, but also every other organ in the body.

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