Diets high in fat and cholesterol may contribute to the development of gallstones.
The best foods to eat that may help minimize gallbladder pain include:
- Low fat foods
- Minimally processed foods
- Plant-based proteins (beans, lentils, chickpeas, quinoa)
- Vegetables and fruits
- Sprouted nuts and seeds
- Whole grains
- Legumes
- Lean meats and fish
Foods that may trigger gallbladder attacks include:
- Fatty foods
- Fried foods
- Dairy products
- Sugary foods
- Eggs
- Acidic foods
- Carbonated soft drinks
What Are Gallstones?
Gallstones (cholelithiasis) are small stones that form inside the gallbladder. They can range in size from tiny specks to as large as the entire gallbladder, up to 6 inches long. Most are smaller than 1-inch.
There are two types of gallstones:
- Cholesterol gallstones
- Made of cholesterol
- Usually yellow-green in color
- 80% of gallstones are this type
- These are more likely to respond to non-surgical treatment
- Pigment gallstones
- Made of bilirubin
- Smaller and darker than cholesterol stones
- 20% of gallstones are this type
What Are Symptoms of Gallstones?
Symptoms of gallstones may include:
- Pain in the upper abdomen, usually on the right side, just under the ribs
- Pain in the shoulder or back on the right side
- Upset stomach
- Vomiting
- Indigestion
- Heartburn
- Gas
- Chest pain
What Is the Function of the Gallbladder?
The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ located under the liver that stores bile, a fluid that helps the body break down fat in food.
What Is a Gallbladder Attack?
A gallbladder attack occurs when a gallstone blocks a bile duct, resulting in severe, stabbing pain in the belly that can last several hours. Medications may be tried first, but they can take months to years to dissolve the stones, and gallstones often return.
Symptoms of a gallbladder attack include:
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