Gallbladder Polyps – Causes, Risks, Treatment
Gallbladder polyps sometimes grow inside the gallbladder, where they protrude from the lining of the interior wall. Polyps vary in size, with some reaching one centimeter in diameter or even larger. They are usually found in about four-to-five percent of individuals who report to their doctor that they’re experiencing gallbladder pain.
Medical researchers have not been able to discover the precise cause gallbladder polyps. But it has been proven by research that someone who is older than 50, or already has gallstones, has a higher chance of having gallbladder polyps.
Gallbladder polyps fall into five different categories.
* Cholesterosis – This type is partially formed by cholesterol and is the most common of the five categories.
* Adenocarcinoma – This is the type that’s cancerous.
Three other types are relatively uncommon: hyperplastic, adenomyomatosis, and cholecystosis.
Many people who have polyps aren’t even aware of it because symptoms rarely make themselves known. However, they may cause some degree of tenderness in the abdomen. This discomfort occurs in the upper right of the abdomen, and may be steady or intermittent. Pain from is almost never constant or severe. Severe pain, especially if it’s steady, is more likely to be a gallstone symptom.
Polyps are usually detected when your doctor does a gallbladder polyp ultrasound test, but he or she would normally use such a diagnostic tool only if other symptoms of gallbladder trouble have appeared.
In cases where polyps are detected, your doctor will schedule a follow up to test for cancer.
In most cases, there’s no need for gallbladder polyp management or treatment. Gallbladder polyp surgery usually means removing the entire gallbladder, and is typically done only when the patient is experiencing a distressing level of pain. “Cholecystectomy” is the medical term for a gallbladder removal operation. You can live without a gallbladder, so if you’re starting to have gallbladder problems, removal may be the smartest way to prevent future trouble. Your liver is capable of handling many of the functions normally performed by the gallbladder.
Once again, cholesterosis is the most common type of gallbladder polyp, and it is formed partially by cholesterol. Excess cholesterol causes many different kinds of gallbladder trouble. To avoid problems with your gallbladder, you should eat a low cholesterol diet that features a variety of cholesterol free foods.
Here are some other tips that will help prevent gallbladder polyps and other gallbladder conditions:
* eat red meat sparingly and avoid fried foods – especially deep fried foods
* use olive oil and vinegar on salads. Many commercial salad dressings contain unhealthy sugar and fats.
* refrain from eating big meals – especially fatty, cholesterol-rich foods – just before bedtime
* be smart if you’re on a weight loss program. Focus on losing weight gradually, because crash diets can harm your gallbladder and other digestive organs.
If you’re already troubled by gallbladder polyps or other gallbladder problems, you can avoid aggravating them by
* do not drink sodas and similar carbonated beverages
* prefer low fat dairy products to higher fat varieties
* choose leaner cuts of meat and be sure to remove excess fat before cooking.
* ask your doctor if you should be taking fish oil supplements. These contain a substance known as omega-3 fatty acid, which helps limit the formation of cholesterol in bile..
* find recipes that contain ginger and tumeric, which have been shown to be good for the gallbladder.
And naturally, a diet that’s good for your gallbladder will benefit your heart too, so make sure your meals include a lot of fruits, vegetables and grains.
