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Gallstones - Basic Nutritional Guidelines
Nutritional
Mateusz Pawlak
Author
2026-03-24
Date
7 min. read
article.read_time
6
Chapters
Statistical data suggest that gallstones may affect up to one in five Poles. In addition to non-modifiable factors such as age and gender, the occurrence may also be influenced by modifiable factors such as excess body weight, insufficient physical activity, and diet. Nutritional guidelines also play a significant role in the treatment process.
Description, symptoms, and causes of gallstones
In the gallbladder, deposits of insoluble bile components form hard crystals (stones) that hinder the flow of bile and can partially or completely block its entry into the intestine. Nearly ⅔ of patients do not exhibit symptoms of gallbladder dysfunction. In individuals with symptoms, a condition known as biliary colic may occur, characterized by sudden pain in the right upper abdomen that may radiate to the right shoulder. This pain is often associated with the movement of the stone that blocks the exit of the bile duct, leading to an increase in pressure inside the duct. The pain often precedes nausea and vomiting and usually resolves on its own. However, if it persists for longer than 6 hours and the body temperature is elevated, this may indicate complications. These include inflammation of the gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas, perforation (rupture) of the gallbladder, and intestinal obstruction. Non-specific symptoms, which may also occur in other conditions and do not definitively indicate gallstones, include heartburn, bloating, and discomfort after consuming fatty food.
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