Gallbladder pain that is felt in the upper right abdomen can be classified as mild or severe disease. Although it is usually caused by gallstones, you should see a doctor to make sure the pain is not caused by another disease. For mild pain, over-the-counter pain relievers can help relieve it quickly. Meanwhile, in the long term, changing diet can reduce the risk of gallbladder pain. For severe pain or pain accompanied by fever or jaundice, you should seek medical attention immediately.
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Part 1 of 3: Relieve Pain Quickly
Step 1. Use over-the-counter pain relievers as directed
Over-the-counter pain relievers such as paracetamol are usually effective and quickly relieve pain. However, paracetamol can cause liver damage. So, make sure the pain you are experiencing is not related to the liver before using it.
- You should only use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen after consulting your doctor. These medications can cause abdominal pain and potentially make gallbladder pain worse.
- If over-the-counter medications aren't effective at relieving pain, your doctor may prescribe an antispasmodic medication that relaxes the gallbladder.
- Use the drug as directed by your doctor or the directions for use on the package.
Step 2. Apply a warm compress to the painful area
For quick pain relief, wrap a hot water bottle, heating pad, or warm compress with a cloth, then apply it to the upper part of your stomach and leave it for 20-30 minutes.
Stand up and try to walk after applying a warm compress. Use this compress every 2-3 hours as long as you feel pain
Step 3. Try using a warm castor oil compress
To make a warm castor oil compress, soak a clean cloth in pure castor oil then apply it to the painful area and cover it with a sheet plastic bag. Place a warm compress on top of the plastic sheet for 30 minutes to relieve pain and inflammation.
Use a warm castor oil compress once a day for 3 days
Step 4. Make turmeric tea
Cut 5 cm of turmeric root and boil it in a cup of water to make tea. Alternatively, take 1,000-2,500 mg of turmeric tablets daily. Besides being efficacious for other diseases, turmeric is also useful for relieving problems in the gallbladder.
- Although it is quite safe, it is best to consult with your doctor before trying turmeric tea or turmeric supplement tablets.
- Turmeric and other herbs may promote gallbladder emptying. While it may help relieve pain, faster bile excretion can also trigger bile duct obstruction or other complications. Consult a doctor first for your safety.
Step 5. Talk to your doctor before trying herbs, supplements, or liquid fasting
There are a number of home treatment options for gallbladder pain relief. Unfortunately, most of it is not supported by any evidence. On the other hand, some herbs and supplements can actually exacerbate gallbladder disease or other ailments and interact with medications.
- Milk thistle, peppermint, chicory, and other herbs are said to relieve gallbladder pain. However, this plant can also cause blockage of the bile ducts and various other complications.
- You may have heard that a mixture of apple cider vinegar and olive oil is beneficial for the gallbladder, but this claim is not supported by scientific evidence. In addition, replacing solid foods with this herb can actually aggravate gallstones.
- Some people drink salt water to clean the digestive tract, but this drink is not safe and should be avoided.
Step 6. Use betaine hydrochloride to treat gastrointestinal problems related to the gallbladder
Although it doesn't affect the gallbladder directly, hydrochloride supplements can help improve digestion and relieve associated symptoms such as flatulence, belching, and nausea. The standard dose is at least 600 mg of betaine chloride taken with each meal.
- You can buy over-the-counter betaine hydrochloride at your local pharmacy or online.
- Ask your doctor if this supplement is right for you. Do not use betaine hydrochloride if you have a history of heartburn, acid reflux, gastritis, or peptic ulcers. Stop using this supplement if you feel a burning sensation in your stomach.
Part 2 of 3: Changing Your Diet
Step 1. Drink at least 8 cups (about 2 liters) of water every day
Water is great for general health and can help the body break down gallstone-forming materials. Drink plenty of water, especially if you have diarrhea due to gallbladder problems.
Although the recommended fluid intake is generally 8 cups (about 2 liters), you should drink more during hot weather or exercising. If you sweat a lot while working outdoors, try to drink 500 ml to 1 liter of water every hour
Step 2. Increase your intake of fiber-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains
Fiber can help lower the cholesterol content in bile thereby preventing the formation of gallstones. Good sources of fiber include raw fruits and vegetables (especially green leafy vegetables), lentils, brown rice, pasta, bread, and whole grain cereals.
If you have recently had gallbladder surgery or are on a special diet, first consult with your doctor to determine the maximum amount of fiber that is safe for consumption
Step 3. Increase your intake of citrus fruits or other sources of vitamin C
Vitamin C will help the body more easily dissolve cholesterol thereby preventing gallbladder pain. Try to consume at least 75-90 mg of vitamin C every day. A glass of orange juice or one medium orange contains about this amount of vitamin C. So, meeting the daily requirement of vitamin C is actually quite easy.
- Sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits such as grapefruit, as well as kiwis, strawberries, and red and green peppers.
- Consult the use of vitamin C supplements with your doctor. However, remember that the body will more easily absorb nutrients from food than from supplements.
Step 4. Limit your consumption of carbohydrates and refined sugar
Refined carbohydrates include whole grains such as white bread, white rice, and white flour. While you can eat natural sugars found in fruits and vegetables, it's best to avoid products that contain added sugars such as candy, cakes, and soft drinks.
Refined carbohydrates and added sugars are known to be associated with an increased risk of gallstones
Step 5. Consume healthy fats and oils in moderation
Omega-3 fatty acids and unsaturated fats are healthier choices than hydrogenated oils and trans fats. Sources of healthy fats and oils include salmon, trout, avocado, and vegetable oils such as olive oil and canola oil. A serving of fats and oils should include 20% of all daily calories, or about 44 grams in a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Healthy fats are important to consume because avoiding fat intake can actually increase the risk of gallstone formation.
- Eating healthy fats is important, but you should also avoid bad fats like saturated and trans fats because they can increase the risk of gallbladder pain recurrence. Fried foods, margarine foods, fatty cuts of beef or pork, chicken skin, lard, or other bad fats should be avoided.
- In addition, check the labels on foods for cholesterol content. Most adults should not consume more than 300 mg of cholesterol a day. Meanwhile, in some cases, doctors may recommend daily consumption of cholesterol as much as 100 mg or even less.
Step 6. Avoid skipping meals or going on a crash diet
Eating at regular intervals is very important. If the body does not get food intake for a long time, the liver will release more cholesterol into the bile which can cause gallstones.
If you are overweight or obese, try losing weight gradually for the sake of gallbladder health. Try to lose no more than 5-10% of your initial body weight within 6 months
Part 3 of 3: Seeking Medical Help
Step 1. Visit a doctor for severe or persistent symptoms
If you have pain in the upper right side of your abdomen for more than a few days, make an appointment with your doctor. Meanwhile, to treat serious symptoms, seek emergency medical attention.
- Serious symptoms include pain so severe that you can't sit or move your stomach, fever, chills, and a yellowish tint to your skin or eyes.
- If you suspect you have bladder problems, talk to your doctor before trying to treat them yourself.
Step 2. Work with your doctor to determine the best treatment
Tell your doctor about your symptoms, medical history, and medications you are taking. Let your doctor do an exam, lab test, or scan. This examination will help the doctor make the right diagnosis and determine the best treatment options.
- Although pain in the upper right side of the abdomen is usually caused by gallstones, this symptom can be related to infection, bile duct obstruction, or even other problems.
- Treatment options for gallstones and bile duct obstruction include surgical removal of the gallbladder, endoscopic (non-surgical) removal of gallstones, and the use of medications to dissolve gallstones and sound wave therapy that can destroy gallstones.
- If you have a gallbladder infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics. To treat a severe infection, your gallbladder may have to be removed.
Step 3. Follow postoperative care recommendations
If you have to have surgery, you should treat the wound as directed by your doctor. While you may have to stay in the hospital for 1 week, there are also some people who can go home the same day after surgery.
- After surgery, your doctor may put you on a liquid diet to help your gallbladder rest. However, whether you have surgery or not, you will most likely need to stick to a low-cholesterol, gallbladder-friendly diet for the rest of your life.
- After gallbladder surgery, you may have more frequent bowel movements and diarrhea. This change in bowel pattern is usually only temporary.
Tips
- In addition to various other health benefits, quitting smoking and reducing alcohol intake can reduce the risk of gallstone formation and gallbladder disease.
- If you have a history of gallbladder pain, avoid diet or exercise programs that aim to lose weight quickly because they can increase the risk of gallstones forming.
Warning
- If pain persists for more than 6 hours in a row, is accompanied by fever or vomiting, or is severe enough to interfere with normal activities, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
- Talk to your doctor first before trying to relieve gallbladder pain on your own. Gallstones, infection, or blockage of the bile ducts may require emergency medical attention.
