Can gallstones be lived with or should they be removed immediately? Get acquainted with us through the following article on how to live with gallstones and a list of foods that should be avoided, in addition to a group of tips and natural methods that some resort to to get rid of gallstones.

Causes of gallstones

Medical opinions differ as to why gallstones form in either the gallbladder or the bile ducts, but possible causes include:

• The presence of a large percentage of cholesterol inside the bile duct, and the body needs bile to complete the process of digestion and disposal of cholesterol, but when there is a problem that prevents this, this results in the accumulation of cholesterol and the formation of stones.
• Too much bilirubin inside the bile duct. Health conditions such as cirrhosis and blood disorders can cause the liver to produce too much bilirubin.
• Not emptying the gallbladder completely, and this may result in an increase in the concentration of bile juice inside the body, and thus the formation of stones.

The shape of gallstones

How to live with gallstones

Many experts point out that it is possible to live with gallstones, in the event that they do not cause any physical symptoms, as some people may live for a very long time with the presence of stones without experiencing any problems.

In the event of any symptoms, the doctor may resort to removing the gallbladder, so it is possible to live without the gallbladder. When it is removed, you may not notice many differences, but you may experience bouts of diarrhea at first, and in the event of diarrhea for more than 3 months after the operation to remove the gallbladder, you should talk to the doctor.

Ways to live with gallstones include:

Life tips

Making some lifestyle changes can help in coping with gallstones, and can also help prevent them from forming inside the body. These tips include the following:

• Follow a diet rich in fiber and healthy fats, such as fish oil and olive oil.
• Refined carbohydrates, sugar and unhealthy fats should be avoided.
• Performing regular exercise, you must exercise for at least 30 minutes, for 5 days a week.
• Avoid harsh diets that help you lose a lot of weight in a short amount of time.
• In the event of a family history of gallstones, especially in women, you should talk to your doctor to find out the appropriate measures, especially with regard to contraception.
• Adding fiber to the diet to facilitate bowel movements.
• Reducing the size of meals, to facilitate the digestion of food.
• Drink enough water.

Foods to avoid when you have gallstones

There are some foods that exacerbate the symptoms of gallstones that should be avoided, and these foods include the following:

• Fatty foods.
• fried foods.
• Avoid foods and drinks that can trigger diarrhea, such as caffeinated beverages and high-fat dairy products.
• Foods that contain a large amount of sugar.

Lose weight

Being overweight to the point of obesity can increase the amount of cholesterol in the bile duct, which increases the risk of gallstones, so weight should be controlled by following a healthy diet and exercising, but you should not follow any low-calorie diets, which It leads to rapid weight loss, as there is some evidence indicating that this causes an imbalance in the chemistry of the bile juice, thus increasing the chance of stones forming.

Get rid of gallstones naturally

After learning about how to live with gallstones, there are some natural methods that many people have tried to get rid of gallbladder stones, but it must be noted before mentioning these methods that there is no reliable evidence supporting the effectiveness of these methods, so it is preferable to consult a doctor first, and these methods include what follows:

• Cleaning the gallbladder by drinking a mixture of apple juice, herbs and olive oil, for a period ranging from two to 5 days, and sometimes some people refrain from eating, and this method may be unsafe for some people, especially those who suffer from diabetes or blood sugar problems.
• Using apple cider vinegar with apple juice, as some believe that apple juice can reduce the severity of stones, allowing them to pass out of the body easily.
• Drink dandelion tea, as it is believed that dandelion roots have been used since ancient times to treat gallstones, liver and bile duct problems, as the bitter roots may stimulate the production of bile juice in the gallbladder.
• Milk thistle, it can be used medicinally to detoxify the liver, and it can enhance the health of the gallbladder, but there is insufficient evidence to support its effectiveness in eliminating gallstones.
• Artichoke, as some studies indicated that artichoke extract can stimulate the production of bile juice and enhance the functions of the gallbladder and liver. Artichoke can be used in several ways, but the results were released after studying artichoke extract supplements.
• Castor oil. A towel soaked in warm castor oil is placed on the stomach for about an hour.

It must be reminded again that it is not recommended to try any of the previous methods except after consulting a doctor first.