It is difficult for someone who has lost their gallbladder to live the same way and eat the same foods as they did before. I know this from experience because my mother got hers removed in 2002 and still has problems digesting certain foods even now. People take for granted having a functioning gallbladder in their body. Not many know what the gallbladder actually does for them on a regular day-to-day basis. The gallbladder is a green pear-shaped sack that sits on the underside of the liver. You could say that the gallbladder and the liver work hand in hand. It is the liver's job to create and produce bile. Whenever it produces too much bile, the excess amount is sent to the gallbladder who hangs on to it for several reasons.
The first reason is that if the excess bile is not stored and leaks, it can actually harm many parts of your intestine. Secondly, the excess bile can later be used for other processes in the body like the digestion of greasy foods and other fats. That is why it must be stored and not wasted. In other words, the gallbladder serves as storage space, much like a hard-drive, for the excess bile that the liver produces daily. Unfortunately, the gallbladder is prone to many complications such as gall stones and infections. If the gallbladder is not taken care of correctly, you can end up losing it as my mother did. Fortunately, you can still live a normal and healthy life even without a gallbladder.
Here's how:
- Exercise. It is very important to have a walk or jog even 30 minutes a day.
- Go on a diet. A healthy diet is essential in maintaining your body clean and free from toxins that certain foods (fast food, greasy food, etc) may contain. By going on a diet, you are essentially adding years to your life.
- Eat healthy. Fruits, vegetables, and nutrient-rich foods are very important in keeping our bodies working 24/7.
- Take natural remedies. There are many vitamins and natural supplements out there that can help people suffering from complications after a gallbladder surgery. Bile salts, for example, help regulate the body's bile build-up. They are especially beneficial to people without a gallbladder.
- Live a calm and stress-free life. It has been proven that most illnesses are often related to stress. If you're in a stressful environment, you need to get away from there. The best way to change your lifestyle is to avoid situations where you feel forced or pressured into by someone or something. This can be your job, school or even your family. In order for any medicine to work, you must be relaxed and away from any stressful thoughts. Believe it or not, the mind can help tremendously in the healing process.
