Specialized Center for Permanent Relief from Gallstones Pain

Complications

Complications of gallstones may include:

• Inflammation of the gallbladder. A gallstone that becomes lodged in the neck of the gallbladder can cause swelling of the gallbladder. It can cause severe pain and fever.
• Blockage of the pancreatic duct. The pancreatic duct is a tube that runs from the pancreas and connects to the general bile duct just before entering the duodenum. Pancreatic juices, which help in digestion, flow through the pancreatic duct.
• Blockage of the common bile duct. Gallstones can block the tubes or duct through which bile flows from your gallbladder or liver to your small intestine. Severe pain, jaundice and bile duct infection can result.
• Gallbladder cancer. People with a history of gallstones have an enlarged risk of gallbladder cancer. But chances of gallbladder cancer are very rare, so even though the risk of cancer is elevated, the likelihood of gallbladder cancer is still not big.

Prevention

You can decrease your risk of gallstones if you:

• Don't skip meals: Try to stick to your everyday mealtimes each day. Avoiding meals or fasting can raise the risk of gallstones.
• Lose weight slowly: If you want to lose weight, go slow. Quick weight loss can raise the risk of gallstones. Aim to lose 0.5 to 1 kilogram a week.
• Eat more high-fiber foods: Contain more fiber-rich foods in your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
• Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity and being overweight increase the possibility of gallstones. Work to achieve a healthy weight by decreasing the number of calories you eat and increasing the amount of physical activity you get. Work to maintain that weight by continuing your healthy diet and continuing to exercise when you achieve a healthy weight.