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How Nutritional Supplements Can Be Used To Help Treat Cholecystitis

Cholecystitis is an inflammation of the gall bladder. Acute cholecystitis is usually associated with blockage of the cystic duct by a stone. Mechanical obstruction, chemical inflammation, and bacterial infection are believed to play a role. A vast majority of patients are believed to become symptomatic due to bacterial infection.

Three factors contribute to the onset of inflammation - stasis of bile in the gall bladder, release of lysolecithin, and super-infection with bacteria.

Much more common in women, particularly in middle aged, obese women who have had several children.

There is usually severe, sudden, or gradual pain in the right upper abdomen, with nausea, chills, vomiting, high fever, and sometimes referred pain in the back or the right shoulder blade. The symptoms of chronic cholecystitis are less severe and include discomfort in the right upper abdomen, gas, belching, heartburn, or indigestion.

Patients with mild and infrequent symptoms may consider oral medication to dissolve gallstones. Antibiotics and, if vomiting has been severe, hospitalization for intravenous fluids are preliminary treatments for acute cholecystitis. If there is no improvement, the gall bladder is removed (cholecystectomy). Sometimes it is necessary to drain the gall bladder (cholecystotomy) to allow the patient to become well enough for the gall bladder to be completely removed. For patients with symnptoms from chronic cholecystitis, cholecystectomy is usually recommended.

TREATMENT

Identify and avoid food allergies, especially eggs and/or cow's milk products. Cut down fat in diet, below 20 percent of total foods. Do not, however, cut out fat completely. Recent studies say that up to half of the people who try to lose weight by cutting out fat (eating less than six hundred calories and three grams of fat per day) develop gallstones. Avoid processed fats and hydrogenated fats. Eat less. Overeating is very stressful on the gallbladder. Eat regular meals, especially breakfast. It is hard on the gallbladder to go many hours without food and then suddenly have to deal with a large meal. Increase dietary fiber and decrease refined carbohydrates. Eat less animal foods and move toward a vegetarian-oriented diet. If you are overweight, lose the weight, but slowly and sensibly.

Nutritional supplements that may be helpful include:
Multi-enzymes with bile (bile is contraindicated if ulcers coexist)
Vitamin C
Vitamin B complex
Choline inositol
Alfalfa tablets
Lethicin
Acidophilus
L-taurine
Peppermint oil sipped in water throughout the meal may be helpful when having symptoms.

The nutrients mentioned above reflect the major nutritional supplements that may help the condition. Please do remember however that nutritional supplementation is an adjunct to medical treatment and in no way replaces medical treatment.

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