Problems with the gallbladder. When should I go to the doctor?

Do you have a bitter taste in your mouth after eating? Do you feel heaviness in your right side and nausea after eating fatty or fried foods? These symptoms may indicate cholestasis.

How to deal with this condition and what other gallbladder problems can occur? We will tell you further.

Dushynskyi Yuriy

gastroenterologist

What should I do if I have a bitter taste in my mouth after eating?

Most often, a bitter taste in the mouth is a sign of reflux. Reflux is a chronic condition in which contents from the lower parts of the digestive system move up into the upper parts. As a result, a person may experience an unpleasant taste in the mouth and a burning sensation in the hypochondrium.

However, in some cases, bitterness in the mouth may not be related to the digestive system but may be the result of nervous system dysfunction. These symptoms usually occur in:

• pre- or post-menopausal women;
• young people who live under constant stress;
• people who have suffered from endocrine disorders.

«In order to get rid of the problem of bitterness in the mouth, you should first determine its cause.»

First of all, it is necessary to consult a gastroenterologist and undergo an appropriate examination: ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, blood biochemistry, namely liver tests, endoscopy of the esophagus, stomach, valve apparatus, and duodenum.

If you have a bitter taste in your mouth for the first time in your life, and you do not have the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, black stools, you are under 50 years of age, you do not have unexplained weight gain or loss, and you have not been diagnosed with anemia, then this symptom is most likely not dangerous.

At home, the doctor will advise you to rethink your diet, balance the amount of protein and fat in it, and reduce the amount of alcohol and fast carbohydrates (or stop eating sweets at all). Try not to be nervous and exercise regularly. 

How can I feel if I have gallbladder problems?

Signs of gallbladder issues include pain on the right side under the ribs immediately after eating that lasts about 20-30 minutes, a bitter taste in the mouth, and burning or other pain in the epigastric (solar plexus).

One of the most common diseases of the gallbladder is cholestasis. The main factors that cause this disease are:

• irregular diet – fasting or limited consumption of fatty and protein foods;
• excessive alcohol consumption and a sedentary lifestyle;
• constant stress and nervousness.

What foods should I avoid if I have gallbladder pain?

If you feel pain in the right hypochondrium, it is better to limit fatty and fried foods in your diet, as they provoke gallbladder contraction. In general, a special diet has been developed for people with cholestasis – diet number 5. It excludes fatty, spicy, fried foods, flour products, and foods containing oxalic acid. So it is quite possible to follow a “therapeutic” diet at home.

In addition, the gallbladder can hurt if there are stones in it or if there is a violation of its function.

Gallstones are formed due to:

• stagnation of the bile and metabolic disorders leading to an increase in the salt content of the bile and impaired bile excretion;
• heredity – the tendency to form gallstones is transmitted through the maternal line and often manifests itself during pregnancy;
• sudden weight loss or gain;
• medication (especially antibiotics).

Important! In most cases, gallstones do not cause any symptoms, but if you experience pain on the right side of the rib that worsens after eating, a slight increase in body temperature, nausea, or fever, you should see a doctor.

To keep your bile healthy for as long as possible, add eggs, olive oil, and fresh fish to your diet.

Take care of yourself and be healthy!