Tag Archives: risk factors for gallstones

Foods You Should Not Eat with Gallbladder Problems

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The gallbladder is an organ that plays an essential role in digesting the foods we eat. Some foods we eat can be good for our gallbladder, while others can harm it. If you have gallstones or if your gallbladder is inflamed or infected due to gallbladder disease, you may need to follow a specific diet to protect your gallbladder. 

If you are experiencing problems with your gallbladder, various foods can increase your risk of developing diseases, including: 

  • Saturated and trans fats increase the risk of gallstones 
  • Refined carbohydrates increase the likelihood of developing gallstones 
  • Ultra-processed foods increase the risk of gallbladder disease 
  • Sugar-sweetened beverages increase the risk of gallbladder cancer 

If your diet consists of these foods, a healthcare provider may recommend following a diet to help improve the health of your gallbladder. A healthcare provider may suggest a diet that consists of: 

  • Fruits and vegetables that contain essential nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants may reduce the risk of gallstones 
  • Whole grains are a great source of dietary fiber that can help your digestive health and gallbladder, which may reduce the risk of gallstone disease 
  • Healthy fats may increase bile secretion and prevent gallbladder disease, benefiting gallbladder health 
  • Lean protein that is low in fat, such as poultry, fish, low-fat dairy, and especially plant-based protein, may lower the risk of gallbladder disease 

Two types of gallbladder diets may help lower your risk of gallstone issues: the Mediterranean diet and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. 

  • Mediterranean diet- focuses on eating whole foods and healthy fats 
  • DASH diet- focuses on high-fiber, heart-healthy foods that are low in sodium, which lowers your risk of hypertension 

A gallbladder diet may be difficult to adhere to at first. However, here are some meal-planning tips to follow to help: 

  • Controlling your portion sizes and the frequency of meals may protect against gallstones by helping empty the gallbladder and preventing bile build-up 
  • Adding specific foods to your diet can reduce your risk of and protect against gallbladder disease 
  • Maintaining a food diary to keep track of any symptoms you have and what you ate before the symptoms started, as it is important to know what foods may trigger symptoms.  
  • Planning meals and snacks can ensure you have the proper foods available when it is time to eat, instead of going too long between meals, which may increase the risk of gallstones 
  • Staying hydrated can help bile flow from your gallbladder to your small intestine, aiding in digestion 

If you have been diagnosed with gallbladder disease and are considering surgery, robotic surgery could be an option. Robotic gallbladder surgery has many benefits, including:  

  • It is the best way to relieve gallbladder-related symptoms, such as belly pain, nausea, and vomiting.  
  • It lowers the risk of developing complications, such as infection or inflammation of nearby bile ducts or organs 
  • It prevents gallstones from returning, as well as any future gallstone attacks 

There are many potential advantages of robotic-assisted surgery over other types of surgery, including: 

  • Robot-assisted surgery provides surgeons with 3D images of the abdomen and pelvis, creating a clearer picture to reference during the operation
  • Under the surgeon’s direction, the robot can move more freely and with more versatility than a human hand 
  • You’ll have a few tiny scars 
  • You’re more likely to experience less pain and less bleeding after surgery compared to open surgery
  • A shorter hospital stay

To learn more about our robotic surgical procedures or schedule an appointment, contact Flushing Hospital Medical Center at (718) 670-5000. 

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Risk Factors for Gallstones

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Gallstones are hardened deposits of digestive fluid that can form in your gallbladder. They can range in size from as small as a grain of sand to as large as a golf ball. Some people develop just one gallstone, while others develop many gallstones at the same time.

People who experience symptoms from their gallstones usually require gallbladder removal surgery. Gallstones that don’t cause any signs or symptoms typically don’t need treatment.

Gallstones may cause no signs or symptoms. If a gallstone lodges in a duct and causes a blockage, the resulting signs and symptoms may include:

  • Sudden and rapidly intensifying pain in the upper right portion of the abdomen
  • Sudden and rapidly intensifying pain in the center of the abdomen, just below the breastbone
  • Back pain between your shoulder blades
  • Pain in your right shoulder
  • Nausea or vomiting

Gallstone pain may last several minutes to a few hours.

It isn’t clear what causes gallstones to form. Doctors think gallstones may occur when:

  • Your bile contains too much cholesterol
  • Your bile contains too much bilirubin
  • Your gallbladder doesn’t empty correctly

The types of gallstones that can form in the gallbladder include:

  • Cholesterol gallstones
  • Pigment gallstones

Factors that may increase your risk of gallstones include:

  • Being female
  • Being 40 years old or older
  • Being Native American
  • Being Hispanic of Mexican origin
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Being sedentary
  • Being pregnant
  • Eating a high-fat diet
  • Eating a high-cholesterol diet
  • Eating a low-fiber diet
  • Having a family history of gallstones
  • Having diabetes
  • Having certain blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia or leukemia
  • Losing weight very quickly
  • Taking medications that contain estrogen such as oral contraceptives or hormone therapy drugs
  • Having liver disease

There are several complications of gallstones, including:

  • Inflammation of the gallbladder
  • Blockage of the common bile duct
  • Blockage of the pancreatic duct
  • Gallbladder cancer

You can reduce your risk of gallstones by:

  • Not skipping meals
  • Losing weight slowly
  • Eating more high-fiber foods
  • Maintaining a healthy weight

There are several tests and procedures used to diagnose gallstones and complications of gallstones, including:

  • Abdominal ultrasound
  • Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
  • Other imaging tests
  • Blood tests

A healthcare provider will determine if treatment for gallstones is indicated based on your symptoms and the results of diagnostic testing. Treatment options for gallstones include:

  • Gallbladder surgery (cholecystectomy)
  • Medications to dissolve gallstones

Flushing Hospital Medical Center offers multiple options for gallbladder removal surgery, this includes robotic surgery. To schedule an appointment with a specialist, please call (718) 670-5000.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.