Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

Gallbladder pain usually occurs in the upper right side of the abdomen, ranging from mild to severe. Although gallstones are a common cause of gallbladder pain, you still need to see a doctor to rule out other problems. For mild pain, an over-the-counter pain reliever can provide almost instant pain relief. In the long term, adjusting to your diet may reduce your risk of gallstones. For severe pain with fever or jaundice, get medical attention right away.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Quick pain relief

1. 

   Take over-the-counter pain relievers as directed. An over-the-counter pain reliever like acetaminophen is often the best and nearly instant pain reliever. Acetaminophen can cause liver damage, so make sure the pain is not related to the liver before taking it.
   • You should only take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin or ibuprofen, when advised by your doctor. These drugs can cause stomach upset and may eventually worsen gallbladder pain.
   • If an over-the-counter medication isn't working, your doctor may prescribe an antispasmodic that dilates your gallbladder.
   • Take the medicine as prescribed by your doctor or according to the directions on the label.

2. 

   
   
   Applying warm compresses up pain. For quick pain relief, wrap a cloth around a hot water bottle, heating bag or store-bought compress and apply it to your upper right abdomen for about 20-30 minutes.
   • Get up and try to walk again after applying warm compresses. Apply warm compresses every 2-3 hours during pain.

3. 

   
   
   Try a warm compress with castor oil-dipped gauze. To make a compress, soak a clean cloth in pure castor oil, place it on the sore, then cover the gauze with food wrap. Apply for 30 minutes to relieve pain and inflammation.
   • Apply warm compresses with a castor oil gauze 1 time a day for 3 days.

4. 

   
   
   Make turmeric tea. Slice a slice of turmeric about 5 cm long and boil the slices in a pot of water to make the tea. You can also take turmeric pills 1,000mg -2,500mg per day. In addition to its other uses, turmeric also helps alleviate gallbladder problems.
   • Although turmeric is generally safe, you should still consult your doctor before trying turmeric tea or taking turmeric supplements.
   • Turmeric and some other herbs can quickly drain the gallbladder. Although increasing the flow rate of bile can help relieve pain, it can also lead to bile duct obstruction or other complications. You should consult your doctor to make sure it is safe.

5. 

   Talk to your doctor before trying herbs, supplements, and purification therapies. There are a number of home remedies available to relieve gallbladder pain, but most of them have not been supported by scientific evidence.In addition, some herbs and supplements can make gallbladder disease or other health worse, and they may interact with medications.
   • Milk thistle, peppermint, chicory, and several other herbs are used to relieve pain associated with the gallbladder, but they can also clog the bile ducts and cause out of other complications.
   • You may also have heard that an apple cider vinegar and olive oil cleansing treatment is good for your gallbladder, but there is no guarantee that this is true. In addition, replacing solid foods with purified liquid may make gallstones worse.
   • Some people drink salt water to clear the digestive system, but this is not safe and should be avoided.

6. 

   Treat digestive problems with betaine hydrochloride. Although the hydrochloride supplement does not directly affect the gallbladder, it may help improve digestion and alleviate related symptoms, such as bloating, belching, and nausea. The standard dosage is a minimum of 600 mg of betaine hydrochloride with each meal.
   • You can find over-the-counter betaine hydrochloride online or in pharmacies.
   • Ask your doctor if hydrochloride supplements are right for you. Do not take this product if you have a history of heartburn, acid reflux, gastritis, or stomach ulcers. Discontinue use if burning is felt in stomach.
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Part 2 of 3: Adjusting the diet

1. 

   Drink at least 8 cups (2 liters) of water per day. Water is great for overall health and can help the body break down substances that cause gallstones. If your diarrhea is related to gallbladder problems, it is imperative that you stay hydrated.
   • 8 cups of water is a general recommendation, but you need to drink more in hot weather and during exercise. If you sweat a lot while working outdoors in hot weather, you should try to drink 480 ml - 1 liter of water every hour.

2. 

   Eat more foods high in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Fiber helps lower cholesterol in bile, which in turn can prevent gallstones from forming. Good sources of fiber include fresh fruits and vegetables (especially green leafy vegetables), lentils, brown rice, whole grains, pasta, whole-wheat breads.
   • If you have recently had gallbladder surgery or are on a special diet, ask your doctor about safe fiber intake.

3. 

   Eat more citrus fruits and other good sources of vitamin C. Vitamin C can help the body dissolve cholesterol more easily, which in turn also helps prevent gallstones from forming. You should get at least 75-90mg of vitamin C per day. This amount of vitamin C is equivalent to 1 cup of orange juice or a medium-sized orange so it is easy to achieve.
   • Good sources of vitamin C also include other citrus fruits, such as grapefruit, as well as kiwi, strawberries, green and red bell peppers.
   • You can also ask your doctor about taking a daily vitamin C supplement. Remember that your body gets better from food than from supplements.

4. 

   Limit your consumption of refined carbohydrates and sugars. Carbohydrates include whole grains like white bread, white rice, and white flour. Natural sugars found in fruits and vegetables are fine, but you should avoid foods that contain added sugars such as candies, cakes, and soft drinks.
   • Refined carbohydrates and added sugars have been associated with an increased risk of gallstones.

5. 

   Eat healthy fats in moderate amounts. Omega-3 fatty acids and unsaturated fats are better choices than hydrogenated oils and trans fats. Sources of healthy fats include salmon, avocados, and vegetable oils, such as olive oil and canola oil. Oil and fat should make up 20% of the daily calories, or at 44 g for a 2,000 calorie diet.
   • Healthy fats are important, as removing them from your diet can increase your risk of developing gallstones.
   • While healthy fats are important, you need to avoid harmful fats like saturated and trans fats, as they can increase your risk of having gall bladder pain again. Fried foods, foods containing margarine, lard and beef, chicken skin and other harmful fats should all be avoided.
   • Also, you should check the cholesterol on food labels. Most adults should consume no more than 300 mg of cholesterol per day. In some cases, your doctor may recommend limiting cholesterol to 100 mg per day or less.

6. 

   Avoid skipping meals or go on an accelerated diet. Eating meals at regular intervals is important. When the body lacks food for a long time, the liver will secrete more cholesterol into the bile and may form gallstones.
   • If you are overweight or obese, gradual weight loss can benefit your gallbladder. Try to lose no more than 5-10% of your original weight within 6 months.
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Part 3 of 3: Finding Medical Care

1. 

   See your doctor if symptoms persist or are severe. If the pain in the upper right side of your abdomen lasts more than 3 days, call your doctor to schedule an appointment. With severe symptoms, you need urgent medical attention.
   • Serious symptoms include: severe pain that can't sit up or move your stomach, fever, chills and jaundice.
   • If you suspect you have gallbladder problems, you should talk to your doctor before trying self-treatment.

2. 

   Talk to your doctor to make an appropriate treatment plan. Tell your doctor about your symptoms, medical history, and any medications you are taking. Agree to do tests, such as blood tests and imaging. These tests will help your doctor accurately diagnose and recommend the best treatment regimen.
   • Although gallstones are a common cause of pain in the right upper abdomen, symptoms can also be related to infection, bile duct obstruction, or other problems.
   • The treatments for gallstones and bile duct obstruction include: cholecystectomy, laparoscopy to remove gallstones (non-surgical), medications to dissolve gallstones, and sound waves to dissolve gallstones.
   • If you have cholecystitis, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics. Severe infections may require removal of the gallbladder.

3. 

   Follow your doctor's instructions after surgery. If surgery is required, you will need to take care of the incision as directed by your doctor. Patients after surgery may be hospitalized for up to a week, but many are able to go home 1 day after surgery.
   • After surgery, you may be given a liquid diet to rest your gallbladder. In both surgical and non-surgical treatments, you will have to follow a diet low in cholesterol and not harmful to your gallbladder.
   • After gallbladder surgery, you may have more frequent bowel movements and diarrhea. These changes are usually temporary.
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Advice

• In addition to other health benefits, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol can also reduce the risk of gallstones and gallbladder disease.
• If you have a history of gallbladder pain, you should avoid diets and exercise programs that help you lose weight quickly, as this can increase your risk of gallstones.

Warning

• If the pain persists for more than 6 hours, fever or vomiting, or if the pain is so severe that it interferes with the normal functions of your body, get medical help right away.
• Consult your doctor before trying to relieve your gallbladder pain yourself. Gallstones, infection, or bile duct obstruction may require urgent medical attention.