Guide To Diagnosing, Treating, And Preventing Gallstones

Medication To Dissolve Gallstones

An individual who cannot undergo surgery to remove their gallbladder or who elects not to have surgery may choose to try medication to dissolve their gallstones. Medication treatment with certain acids like chenodiol and ursodiol is reserved for individuals with gallstones made of cholesterol and small in size. It can take an average of two years for these medications to be effective at dissolving gallstones. These medications are also used long-term in patients who have already had surgery on their gallbladder to remove the gallstones to stop the stones from forming again.

Gallstones can also be dissolved in some patients who cannot undergo surgery with the use of certain substances injected into the gallbladder. The injection contains a solvent referred to as methyl-butyl ether, which dissolves the gallstones within five and twelve hours following the injection.

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Follow A Healthy Diet

It is crucial for patients to follow a healthy diet when they have gallstones, as well as to prevent them from occurring again. In many cases, patients should follow a diet to lower their cholesterol, which means reducing their fat intake. Thus, patients should avoid consuming fried food and fatty foods, including french fries, potato chips, pizza, and hamburgers. Individuals should also consider avoiding full-fat dairy products and other foods that commonly trigger diarrhea, such as sweet foods and carbonated beverages.

Instead, patients should focus on consuming a high-fiber diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and minimally processed foods. The additional fiber will help with making bowel movements regular and solid. However, individuals should increase their fiber intake slowly to prevent digestive upset. They also need to drink at least eight glasses of water daily to stay hydrated.

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