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Foods That Trigger Gallbladder Symptoms

Gallbladder symptoms occur in a person suffering from any type of gallbladder disease, the most common of which are cholecystitis and gallstones. Usually triggered by food, gallbladder symptoms, also called attacks, cause severe abdominal pain and many other subsequent problems in the body. The only way to avoid these attacks is to not eat trigger foods, which vary from person to person but share similarities.

  1. Function

    • The most common type of gallbladder disease is cholecystitis, an inflammation of the gallbladder. During attacks of cholecystitis, the gallbladder becomes unable to perform its main function, which includes storing and releasing bile during digestion. If bile is not released at the proper times and in the right amounts, digestion cannot occur regularly and other digestive problems, like diarrhea, can occur.

    Time Frame

    • Since attacks are usually brought on by food, symptoms are likely to occur after a meal. Symptoms can start to appear while food is still being eaten, or may not appear for an hour. The timing of the symptoms depends on each individual's digestive system, the severity of the gallbladder disease and what food was consumed.

    Effects

    • The foremost pain associated with a gallbladder attack is pain in the upper right abdomen where the gallbladder is located. This pain can also radiate to the chest and to the back shoulder blades. Nausea and vomiting are also common. As a result of these symptoms, people who suffer from gallbladder disease may also develop an aversion to eating.

    Identification

    • There is no list of specific foods that trigger gallbladder attacks, but there are guidelines to help avoid them. In general it is best to pass up fried foods, highly refined starches, sugary foods and foods high in fat. Doctors recommend eating foods high in fiber and antioxidants, and eating slowly to avoid overeating.

    Prevention/Solution

    • The only way to prevent gallbladder attacks is to recognize which foods cause the attacks and to avoid eating them. Each person's list will be different, but a healthy diet high in fiber is best for avoiding gallbladder disease and gallbladder attacks.

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