What I learned about gall bladders

I don't intend to teach you everything there is to know about gallbladders, because that information is readily available. What I can write about is what the many reputable sources only say in between the lines. There are a few attitudes I had which lead me into having a small gallbladder panic. I want to make sure you don't have to panic.

1. You probably have gallstones. Everybody does. If you are on a low fat diet or if you use a lot of sugar, you might eventually have a problems with them. But generally we just painlessly pass a few small ones every now and then. When we eat some fat, our gallbladder literally squirts bile out to help digest it, and usually any little stones get washed along. That's about where I might be, until the ultrasound lady tried to scare me. I'm getting a CT scan for something else and then I will know for sure.

2. You can stop forming so many and even reduce an overload with simple changes in diet that will improve everything else at the same time. Basically, eat real foods and stop snacking. You can find out even more for yourself, but you really don't have to do the unpleasant "GallBladder Flush" unless you are already having a problem, and probably not even then.

3. You almost certainly don't have to have surgery unless you are already in the Emergency Room tonight. If you maybe noticed a couple of pains but you don't have a tender swelling under your right rib, then you are probably OK to do some of the various things people suggest to improve the health of your gallbladder. And you should.

I know a couple of people who had to have their gallbladder removed. You don't want to be them. You can live without a gallbladder, but sometimes it's a reduced and less pleasant life. You might suddenly have to watch what you eat, you might have distressful digestive failings, and you can develop additional problems from the incomplete digestion of fat soluble vitamins.

So look it up, everyone. It doesn't matter that you think you are young and healthy. One of the guys I know who is missing his gallbladder was 23 years old when they removed it. He has had problems his whole life since. I recommend you look up videos for "how to dissolve gallstones".

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