The gall bladder works as a storage unit for bile that is produced by the liver. The liver continuously produces bile, but this bile is not needed continuously. Bile helps in the digestion of fatty foods, and therefore it is when we consume these foods that our digestive system needs bile. Therefore the gall bladder starts releasing bile at mealtimes, particularly if a meal contains a lot of fat. Obviously after the gall bladder has been removed, this function of storing and releasing bile is no longer available. The liver continues to produce bile normally, but instead of the bile being stored, it goes directly into the intestines in small amounts. As a result, when you eat a high fat meal, your digestive system may not be able to process it properly, as it has only a small amount of bile available at any given time. A lot of the fat you eat may therefore remain undigested and unabsorbed. In addition, this fat may tend to draw water into the intestine, thus causing diarrhea. One more problem is that the undigested fat may start being broken down by bacteria, worsening the problem and also causing flatulence in addition to diarrhea.
If you have been suffering from frequent bouts of diarrhea since the removal of your gall bladder, this is the most likely reason for it. The most obvious solution to this problem is to reduce your intake of fats. Fats are of course an essential part of your diet, so you must be careful to ensure that you do not cut your intake too drastically. However, you can certainly make sure that you do not eat any high fat meals. Low fat substitutes are available for most products today and these are usually healthier in any case.
In addition, bile acid supplements are also available today, and you should take these whenever your meal contains a lot of fat. These supplements will make up for the shortfall in bile experienced by your digestive system. You should ask your doctor about the bile supplements available and the suitable dosage for you, as well as a suitable diet.
These measures should take care of the problem in a very short time, but if they don't, then the diarrhea is probably unrelated to the gall bladder removal. Possible causes include irritable bowel syndrome and food allergies, and you will need to consult your doctor for a proper diagnosis.
Read more about: Gall Bladder Symptoms
answered by M W