Those who have gallbladder disease or a sluggish gallbladder may experience an attack following a meal of fatty foods or after eating “trigger” foods that vary from person to person. Home treatment isn’t a substitute for proper medical attention, but a simple home remedy may soothe the pain of a gallbladder attack, and could prevent future attacks.
Causes of Gallbladder Attacks
If a gallstone blocks a passageway in the gallbladder, it may lead to an attack. Hardened bile creates the stones and can be as small as a grain or sand or as big as a golf ball. The type of gallbladder disease caused by gallstones blocking a duct is called cholelithiasis. When the gallbladder becomes inflamed either due to a gallstone, sluggish gallbladder or bacterial infection, this is called cholecystitis.
Symptoms of a Gallbladder Attack
A sluggish gallbladder and gallbladder attack symptoms may vary from person to person but the most common signs are:
- indigestion
- belching after eating fatty foods
- gas after eating fatty foods
- pain in the upper-right part of the stomach or in the center of the stomach
- pain lasting up to several hours that may worsen with deep breathing
- nausea
- chills
- fever
- bloating
- vomiting
Home Remedy for Gallbladder Attacks
At the first sign of a gallbladder attack mix together in a glass and drink:
- 8oz apple juice
- 1/4 cup organic apple cider vinegar
People who have used this home remedy have reported good results with pain subsiding within about ten minutes.
Gallbladder Daily Tonic
To prevent future attacks, drinking the following daily tonic three times a day may help. In a glass mix together and drink:
- 8oz apple juice
- 2tsp flax meal
- 1tsp organic apple cider vinegar
Gallbladder Care
By adopting a few simple habits gallbladder attacks can be diminished over time and gallbladder health can improve.
- Avoid your personal trigger foods. For most people this would include fried foods, fatty foods and those high in sulfur such as egg yolks, raw onions, and raw garlic.
- Keep a journal of foods eaten so you can learn which foods set off an attack and avoid them in the future.
- Eat foods that are high in iron and B vitamins such as kale and spinach.
- Eat more fish and beans, while reducing red meat consumption.
- Add more fiber by adding whole grains, oats and psyllium husk.
- Switch to healthier oils such as canola oil or olive oil.
- Reduce or eliminate altogether all alcohol and tobacco products.
- Get at least 20 minutes of exercise three to five days a week.
- Make an appointment with your doctor to rule out any other health issues and to get expert advice on how to handle your gallbladder problems.
- Seek out a second opinion if surgery is recommended. It is possible to control or reverse gallbladder disease through a diet that’s low in fat and by using natural remedies.
Gallbladder problems tend to be a common symptom related to aging and poor dietary habits. By adding new healthy habits such as regular exercise, adding more fiber to the diet, and drinking the daily gallbladder tonic, painful attacks can be eliminated.
Sources:
UMMC, "Gallstones and Gallbladder Disease"
University of Virginia Health Systems, "Cholecystitis"
Earth Clinic, "Gallbladder Remedies"
Kelly Wallace - Kelly is a seasoned freelance writer, multi-published author, radio show host, teacher, speaker and highly acclaimed intuitive ...
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