The gallbladder is a sac like structure located below the liver, in the body. The gallbladder is the place where bile, used in the digestion of the food and manufactured by the liver, is stored to be used as and when required. When small stone like structures form inside this sac, they are known as the gallstones. These stones are small and sharp and cause considerable pain, which according to the experts, closely resemble the pain caused due to a heart stroke. These pains are known as the gallbladder attack. However, the stones are not the only reasons for the attack; there are several gallbladder diseases that can cause this attack too. Now that you know what is a gallbladder attack, let me proceed with the treatment options.
The gallbladder attack symptoms include severe pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting. When a person suffers from the signs of a gallbladder attack, it is necessary to take the person to a doctor. The doctor is the right person to decide the course of the treatment. If the person is in no immediate danger of facing any other further complications arising out of a gallbladder attack, then the doctors might recommend a wait and see approach. Here, the doctor asks the person to wait for a few days. Sometimes, there are temporary gallstones that are formed in the body due to reasons like sudden weight gain. In such cases, there are chances, however slim they may be, that the gallstones will disappear. If the stones disappear, then there is no need for any treatment. In case of gallbladder infection, the treatment followed is that of antibiotics. However, this decision will be solely taken by the doctor only after conducting a battery of tests on the person.
Oral medication is another treatment option. In this treatment, the doctor gives the patient some oral medications that the person needs to take whenever he/she suffers from a gallbladder attack. These medications will depend on the gallbladder disease responsible for the attack. In severe cases, injections might become necessary. In addition to the medication, a gallbladder diet can also be recommended which will ensure that the gallbladder is strengthening itself.
Gallbladder surgery is the last resort as gallbladder attack treatment. If the gallstones are the reasons for the gallbladder pain, then the stones are removed surgically. In case the gallbladder attack is caused due to some gallbladder disease, as a last resort, the doctor may suggest gallbladder removal, as a person can live his/her life without the gallbladder. After the surgery, it is absolutely vital to take care to avoid any further complications.
Following a strictly healthy diet with low amounts of cholesterol and saturated fats, is the first treatment against the gallbladder pain. Fruit juices, apple cider vinegar and lemon juice work excellently for gallbladder pain treatment and hence, are always recommended when suffering from this pain. Certain painkillers can also be prescribed by the doctor for gallbladder pain relief, and in instances where the pain is very severe, the painkillers can be administered through injections in the body. Eating the right food is necessary to decrease the intensity of the pain. Finally, if nothing seems to work, surgical removal of this organ is the only pain treatment that will work effectively. However, due to gallbladder surgery complications, this is usually the last resort. Also, a strict post gallbladder removal diet needs to be followed to recover quickly after the surgery.
Gallbladder attacks are sudden and hence, care needs to be taken to see that all the prescribed medications for treatment are readily available. As mentioned earlier, the gallbladder attack symptoms are similar to those of a stroke. This makes it essential to get the reason of the pain diagnosed by the doctor without any delay.