Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

Gallstones are small, transparent stones that form inside the gallbladder. Gallstones are often caused by deposition of cholesterol and calcium. Although usually not harmful, gallstones can clog the bile ducts, cause pain, inflammation and potentially serious infections. While there is no way to completely prevent the formation of gallstones, there are a few steps you can take in your diet and lifestyle to reduce your risk of developing this health problem.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Preventing gallstones through your diet

1. 

   Avoid saturated fat. Gallstones are about 80% cholesterol. The saturated cholesterol in the bile ducts coagulates and causes gallstones. A diet high in saturated fat is associated with high cholesterol. Therefore, you should eliminate saturated fat from your diet to reduce your risk of developing gallstones. Some of the foods to limit eating are:
   • Red meat, for example beef
   • Sausage and bacon
   • Full fat dairy products
   • Pizza
   • Butter and lard
   • Dry food

2. 

   
   
   Include unsaturated fats in your diet. While saturated fats contribute to gallstone formation, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats help prevent this. These are called "good" fats. The good fats help to empty the gallbladder, thereby reducing the formation of gallstones in the gallbladder.
   • Olive oil. It is a good source of fats and helps lower cholesterol. Some studies indicate that regular olive oil consumption - about 2 tablespoons per day - can reduce the risk of gallstones.
   • Avocado. Avocado is not only a good source of fat but also helps the body absorb other nutrients more efficiently.
   • Nuts. Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and sesame seeds have special effects on lowering cholesterol.
   • Nuts. Nuts like walnuts help bring healthy fats into the body and also help lower cholesterol.
   • Fatty fish. Cold-water fatty fish like salmon, tuna and mackerel contain high amounts of polyunsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids, which can promote overall health.

3. 

   
   
   Include plenty of fiber in your diet. Studies show that people who eat a high-fiber diet have a lower risk of developing gallstones. Fiber is also beneficial for the overall health of the digestive system as it helps food and waste move smoothly through the gut. Include the following foods in your diet to enhance the overall health of your digestive system.
   • Fresh fruit. Eat fruit with the skin as the peel provides a high amount of fiber. Berries that have seeds (such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries) are especially high in fiber.
   • Vegetables. Leafy and crunchy vegetables usually provide the highest amount of fiber. For potatoes, eat the peels to get the most out of the fiber.
   • Whole grains. Bleached white or "added" products and lack many of the nutrients found in whole grain products. Switch to whole wheat bread, pasta, cereals and oats to increase your fiber intake. Barley, chopped oats and whole wheat pasta are good options. In addition to being high in fiber, whole grain products help lower cholesterol levels in the body.
   • Kinds of bean. You can easily combine beans with soups and salads for a high amount of fiber. Beans, lentils and black beans are very high in fiber.
   • Brown rice. As with white bread, white rice does not provide many nutrients. Switch to brown rice for more fiber in your diet.
   • Nuts and seeds. In addition to being a rich source of "good fats", sunflower seeds, almonds, pistachios, and pecans are good sources of fiber.

4. 

   
   
   Drink a lot of water. Water is an essential nutrient that maintains body moisture and helps to flush toxins out. There are many recommendations for how much fluid you should consume each day, but the principle of 8 glasses of 8 ounce (240 ml) of water a day is still common. The liquid intake should be sufficient for clear or light yellow urine. advertisement

Method 2 of 3: Preventing gallstones through lifestyle

1. 

   Exercise regularly. Exercise, especially resistance exercises, can reduce the risk of gallstones by helping you maintain a healthy weight, reducing one of the risk factors for gallstones.

2. 

   Maintain a healthy weight. Studies show that being overweight increases the risk of gallstones. Check with your doctor to find out what your ideal weight is. Try to get as close to that ideal weight as possible through proper diet and exercise.

3. 

   Avoid strict diets. While maintaining a healthy weight is important for reducing your risk of developing gallstones, don't lose weight too quickly. Strict diet, characterized by a drastic reduction in calorie consumption, and surgery to lose weight actually increases the risk of gallstones - the risk of developing gallstones in strict dieters is 40% to 60%. If you are trying to lose weight, take it slowly. Aim to lose 0.5 kg - 1 kg per week. This is more conducive to your overall health.

4. 

   Eat regularly. Skipping meals can lead to irregular bile production and an increased likelihood of gallstones. Eating meals regularly and not skipping meals is better for your health. Eat as much as possible to reduce the risk of gallstones. advertisement

Method 3 of 3: Seek medical help for gallstones

1. 

   Recognize the symptoms. Gallstones can form even with a good diet and lifestyle. When this happens, you should be aware of the signs to look out for. Although not all gallstones are symptomatic, and in some cases harmless, there are some signs to recognize. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should check with your doctor.
   • Sudden and severe pain in the upper right part of the abdomen. Usually pain just below the lower rib, at the site of the gallbladder.
   • Pain may be in the middle of the abdomen, under the sternum, or behind the back between the shoulder blades.
   • Nausea and vomiting.
   • Discomfort in the digestive system such as flatulence, gas, indigestion.
   • Some of the more serious symptoms include jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), severe pain, and high fever. If any of the above symptoms appear, seek immediate medical attention.

2. 

   See your doctor for a checkup. When you experience symptoms of gallstones, make an appointment with your doctor. After examining and suspecting that you have gallstones, your doctor may order several tests and tests to confirm. The most common are blood tests, ultrasound, computed tomography and / or endoscopy. If the tests confirm you have gallstones, your doctor will recommend the most effective treatment regimen for you.

3. 

   Talk to your doctor about your options. If your doctor finds out that you have gallstones, your doctor may suggest three main treatment options.
   • Follow. It is estimated that about one-third to one-half of people with gallstones never experience another problem. The doctor may first use the "wait and see" approach and follow up the patient for several weeks. In most cases, the gallstones will clear on their own and you don't need any further medical attention. If not, your doctor will take more aggressive steps to treat your gallstones.
   • Treatment does not need surgery. Your doctor may recommend several non-invasive treatments to remove gallstones. These methods include dissolving stones with bile salts or the drug Actigall, and using high frequency sound waves to disperse stones. Keep in mind, however, that these treatments won't prevent gallstones, and you may have other problems in the future.
   • Gallbladder cut. If gallstones are a persistent problem, your doctor may recommend cholecystectomy. This is a common surgery; it is estimated that nearly 750,000 Americans have their gallbladder every year.You can live healthy without your gallbladder, and the risk of complications is usually quite low. If gallstones cause a lot of problems this is probably your best option, but you should always consult your doctor before resorting to surgery.
   • In some cases, removal of the gallbladder can cause diarrhea, which is usually temporary, but sometimes occurs over a long period of time. Your doctor can treat the diarrhea with medications that treat the diarrhea or with medications that block the absorption of bile acids from your body.
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Advice

• Despite being a flavor enhancer and low calorie, garlic has no significant effect on cholesterol levels.
• Coffee may provide a number of health benefits, but there is no solid evidence to suggest an association between caffeine consumption and the fight against gallstones.

Warning

• Always consult with your doctor before introducing a new diet or major lifestyle changes. Your doctor can tell you if it is safe.