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Can alcohol affect the gallbladder? I am aware of pain in that area after drinking
(Last Updated: Apr 20, 2007)
Alcohol consumption is rooted in many cultural and social practices. It is also something that people tend to do in an effort to fit in with their social group. Alcohol abuse is one of the leading causes of death and strife across the world. Over time, excessive alcohol consumption can affect the liver and the brain as well. Liver function issues are common for alcoholics. There has not been much evidence to link alcohol and gallbladder problems. Interestingly, people who drink regularly tend to be less prone to gallbladder issues. This link between gallbladder and alcohol consumption is related to the fact that the liver’s waste tends to contain alcohol which can be used as a thinning material.
While there is no evidence to link any effects of alcohol on the gallbladder, it is suggested that the effects of alcohol on the liver may, over time, lead to gall bladder problems. Bile is, after all, produced in the liver.When the liver fails, the production of bile will also be affected. This could lead to issues with the gallbladder. These issues are often ignored because of the fact that liver failure itself is catastrophic and life threatening. It is therefore necessary to always keep a check on the intake of alcohol at any given point of time.
answered by a
I have just removed my gallbladder. Can I have some amount of alcohol or it will make me feel sick?
Alcohol consumption is often enjoyed and is a part of many cultural and social events. People who undergo gallbladder removal surgery need to moderate their alcohol consumption. Normally, the liver absorbs alcohol and releases some of the waste as bile which passes into the intestinal system. When the gallbladder is removed, the passage of bile is directly into the intestines. This affects the ability of the individual to digest heavy foods. It also plays a role in alcohol tolerance.
When drinking alcohol after gallbladder removal, one would need to be extremely slow as the alcohol enters the digestive tract quickly, causing diarrhea. Over time, a person will have fewer problems after gallbladder is removed with respect to alcohol. This is because the tolerance will be gained once more to a certain extent. However, in the initial few months and years of recovery, the relationship between gallbladder removal and alcohol consumption is one fraught with episodes of rapid intoxication and digestive distress. People generally tend to limit their consumption to a bare socially acceptable limit in such situations to avoid the stress of dealing with the health problems that occur as a result of alcohol consumption. In any case, excessive alcohol consumption is unhealthy and should be avoided.
answered by G M
What diet needs to be taken after gallbladder removal?
Following the right diet after gall bladder removal is an imperative part of proper rehabilitation. This is especially true because it is the diet that one follows that is primarily responsible for the development of gallstones in the first place. Once the gall bladder has been removed from the body, it will be rather difficult for the body to emulsify and dissolve any fats for a while. As a result, it is very important for the individual’s life after gall bladder removal to be influenced purely by either a fat free, low fat or a high fiber diet.
Any eating after gallbladder removal should consist of unprocessed oils such as flaxseed, olive or hemp seed oils because they are known to be rather low in cholesterol content whole being very good sources of beneficial omega 3 fatty acids. As always, a high amount of fruits and vegetables in the diet ensures that the body receives a lot of vitamins and nutrients without the hassle of excess fats. Grape and apple juices are considered to be especially beneficial. Just as important is to make sure that you know what to avoid. It is important to avoid foods such as eggs, pork, oranges, any kind of fried food, margarine, hydrogenated oils, chocolates or alcohol.
answered by S D
Is it necessary that gall bladder pain triggers after drinking alcohol?
A number of people especially those belonging to the middle age group, commonly suffer from gall bladder pain. Calcium deposits in the gall bladder form what is known as a stone, causing excruciating pain and extreme discomfort at times. Gall bladder pain and alcohol consumption have been known to be linked to each other and therefore, people suffering from stones in the gall bladder are advised to give up the consumption of alcohol. Gall bladder pain relief can be obtained through a series of practices, such as fermentation of the area in which the pain is experienced. Increasing the production of bile in the gall bladder is another effective way of flushing out the stone that may be causing the discomfort. This can be done by eating bitter foods. Bitter foods increase the production of bile, thereby activating the functioning of the gall bladder. Drinking plenty of water is another well recommended practice for the removal of any toxins in the body that may be causing you health problems. Besides this, it flushes out deposits of calcium that could lead to serious health complications. In more serious cases, treatment for gall bladder pain can be carried out through laparoscopic surgery to provide quick relief.
answered by A S
The gallbladder is one of the organs in your body. It is actually a small sac, which is under the liver, and works in conjunction with the liver. Its function is to store and concentrate bile that is made by the liver. This bile helps with the digestion of the fats consumed. The gallbladder releases bile to the upper small intestine. Most . There are two different types of diseases related to the gallbladder. These are cholecystisis, which is when the gallbladder gets inflamed, and the second is cholelithiasis, which is when gallstones are formed in the gallbladder. Gallstones can be formed without any pain or symptoms, but if they are too big, it is possible that they block the ducts leading out of the bladder. This causes pain and will require treatment. Initially, though, they may only cause pain at certain times, but if they get too big, they can even be fatal, and may require the gallbladder to be surgically removed.
Alcohol and the gallbladder. Research shows that the consumption of alcohol and gallbladder and are not directly related. In fact, it has been shown that moderate consumption of alcohol decreases the risk of gallbladder diseases. That being said, a very high consumption of alcohol has been shown to severely affect the liver, which works in conjunction with the gallbladder. So it is common sense that if one gets damaged, the other will be damaged too. Alcohol causes and effects have shown that the liver, which produces bile, can get badly damaged due to alcoholism. On the other hand, one of the causes of gallbladder infection is inflammation. Inflammation occurs when a particle, known as a stone, blocks one of the ducts or passageways in the gallbladder. This happens when certain substances in the bile solidify and become hard. These stones can be of different sizes, and vary from the size of a grain of sand to as much as a golf ball.
Research shows that women are more susceptible to developing gallstones than men, and this risk rises with every child that a woman has. However, this risk can be countered by breastfeeding the babies. Women who go in for hormone replacement therapies have also been shown to be in a higher risk group for developing gallstones. The other factors that affect gallstone risk are obesity and very rapid loss of weight, followed by rapid weight gain (the yo-yo effect that many women see after a crash diet).
Gallbladder symptoms. The significant symptoms for gallbladder disease are pain, especially following meals. This pain is increased with fatty food. Gallbladder disease pain is mostly felt of the upper, right part of the abdomen. Vomiting, nausea, and loss of appetite can also be seen.
Gallbladder treatment. Most often, pain causing gallbladders are removed. It should be noted that there are no significant problems that come about because of living with no gallbladder. Nowadays, this surgery is usually performed using a laparoscope, which means that a small scope with a camera attached is inserted and the operation is carried out remotely. This surgery is minimally invasive and allows patients to heal very fast; it also calls for a short hospital stay. Other treatment for gallbladder disease includes drugs that have been shown to dissolve gallstones; these, however, can often take a very long time to be effective. After this too, gallstones can reappear. Some of these drugs include ursodeoxycholic acid, which is a bile acid; it can dissolve stones that are relatively smaller or lesser than 15 mm across. This treatment has been shown to work for about 40 per cent of patients. Sometimes, solvents including monooctanoin and methyl tert-butyl ether are directly introduced in the bile duct to dissolve stones. Another treatment uses lithotripsy or shock wave therapy to break up the stones. Though home remedies could be used for gall bladder symptoms treatment, it is necessary that you contact your doctor and take effective steps to treat the condition at the earliest.
Alcohol and gallbladder removal. As mentioned earlier, alcohol is not related to gallstones. However, after your gallbladder has been removed, bile goes directly from the liver into the intestine. This has been shown to cause diarrhea in some people. Alcohol has been shown to worsen this diarrhea, so it is advisable to reduce or completely stop consumption of alcohol after gallbladder surgery. However, as time goes on, the body tolerance to this bile improves, and it becomes possible to consume alcohol after gallbladder removal. Try not to over indulge though. Keep in mind that you liver is now working without a partner, so you may not want to strain it too much.
Diet for gallbladder trouble. If you have gallbladder trouble, you will have to avoid certain foods. This diet will also help you with recovery after gallbladder removal.
- First of all, you will have to cut down on fatty foods, as these are most irritating to the gallbladder.
- Avoid eggs for gallbladder trouble. Eggs have been shown to bother 95 per cent of patients. For deserts, use other binding agents like flax seed. Stay away from fatty meats, especially pork and lamb. Fowl too should be avoided.
- Keep away from onions and corn as well as dairy products like cheese, milk and cream. Gluten-containing products like wheat, rye, and barley should not be consumed.
- Similarly, all fatty and fried foods should be avoided. Stay away from saturated fats, including coconut oil. All kinds of caffeine containing drinks should be off your diet. Spicy foods will irritate you and send you running to the loo. Black tea is also not be consumed.
- Ice cream, chocolate and other fat containing deserts should not be consumed.
- In the drinks section, avoid alcoholic drinks, including wine, beer, and liqueur. Fruit juice, carbonated drinks, and colas can also cause problems. Try to drink purified or mineral water, instead of tap water. Oats have also been shown to affect some people.
- In the fruit and vegetables section, avoid nuts, oranges, grapefruit, cabbage, cauliflower, turnips, and so on.
- Smoking too has been shown to irritate gallbladder patients. Also avoid all foods that you are allergic to.
Remember that life does not need to change after a gallbladder removal, but you will have to pay more attention to what you eat and drink. If you had to go in for a gallbladder removal, think of it as an easy warning from your body. Its your lifestyle which has caused this, and you will have to make positive changes if you are to live normally. If you change your diet, you can continue living life as you will, and it will not physically impede your life in any way.
answered by G R
When food containing fat enters the digestive tract, stimulating the secretion of cholecystokinin, the bile is released from the gall bladder (storage space). The gallbladder is an adjunct to the liver, whose main function is to break down fats by concentrating bile. Alcohol is not good for the health as it puts strain on the liver, which processes the body fats.
answered by r k
Yes, however, it is difficult to differentiate gallbladder from liver pain. The liver is most affected by alcohol.
answered by Dr K B N
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