How to Treat Gallbladder Sludge
Gallbladder sludge, also known as biliary sludge, occurs in the gallbladder, and is composed of bile, cholesterol, and calcium salt buildup. This buildup is normally caused by a gallbladder "glitch," wherein fats and other food acids are not properly processed. However, pregnancy, unhealthy dieting and medications like octreotide can also cause gallbladder sludge. Gallbladder stones can also be produced from the sludge and cause further health problems.
- Difficulty:
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Instructions
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Use such natural remedies as a gallbladder flush or detox. Changing your daily diet may help to reduce stress on the gallbladder and flush out the sludge. Eat a diet high in fiber, fruits, raw vegetables and grains. Increasing your intake of vitamin C will also help prevent sludge and other gallbladder problems.
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Stay away from foods high in fat. These types of foods force the gallbladder to do more work by processing and breaking down all the fat and cholesterol. This could worsen gallbladder sludge and lead to more problems such as gallstones and abdominal pain. Butter, cheese and foods high in cholesterol should also be avoided.
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Increase your caffeine intake. Drinks high in caffeine like coffee have been known to improve the bile flow in the gallbladder and help prevent gallstones from forming. However, caffeinated drinks can also create such other medical problems as peptic ulcers and insomnia. If you wish to add more caffeine in your diet, make sure you discuss this with your doctor.
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Undergo gallbladder removal. In general, gallbladder sludge is not known to cause any serious medical problems. However, if you experience extreme pain, vomiting, or inflammation in the gallbladder or pancreas, surgery may be needed to remove the organ from the body. This treatment is usually a last resort and only performed when all other treatment options fail to provide relief.
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