After struggling to lose weight, having gallbladder surgery? Beware of these kinds of dieting methods

A woman in her 30s, Ms. A, who had gained weight rapidly and was stressed, embarked on a harsh diet. Over seven months, she ate only one meal a day and exercised in the morning and evening, ultimately losing 12 kg. However, her digestion worsened, and she experienced severe upper abdominal pain, leading to further health deterioration. When she visited the hospital, Ms. A was diagnosed with gallstones and underwent gallbladder removal surgery.

In a short period, people who undertake extreme dieting or fasting may develop gallstones in their bodies. We explore the causes, symptoms, and treatment methods.

◇Bile components harden and form gallstones. Our liver produces about 750mL of bile daily. Bile is composed of three components: cholesterol, fatty acids, and bile salts. When the ratio of these components changes, residues form and clump together, hardening into stones. This is called gallstones. Gallstones occur in the gallbladder, bile ducts, and liver. It is known that about 10-15% of adults have gallstones.

Cholesterol gallstones, a type of gallstone, are composed of 50 to 70% cholesterol. One of the main causes is excessive dieting. If a person skips meals or diets for a long period, the hormones responsible for releasing bile from the gallbladder are not properly secreted, causing bile to remain and form stones. Gallstones are known to occur more frequently in women who diet more than men.

Ironically, it also makes obese people look good. In this case, high blood cholesterol levels are the cause.

◇If complications occur, symptoms include abdominal pain and jaundice... Do not neglect them. Even if gallstones form, 60-80% of patients are reported to have no symptoms. You may feel abdominal bloating or a sensation that food is not passing well. However, if gallstones are present, treatment is essential because the risk of pain and complications is high. Gallstones can cause cholecystitis, which presents various symptoms. Cholecystitis is classified into chronic and acute types based on the severity and duration of pain. Dr. Byun Geon-young of Damsoyu Hospital said, "In cases where acute cholecystitis occurs due to gallstones, severe abdominal pain and fever may accompany it, and if the gallstones block the bile duct, it can cause jaundice, cholangitis, and pancreatitis. We must not take gallstones lightly or leave them untreated."

Gallstones do not resolve simply by drinking more water, unlike urinary stones. The only current treatment for gallstones is surgical removal of the gallbladder. Director Beon Kwon-young stated, "Gallstones occur due to various problems within the gallbladder itself, so a cholecystectomy, which involves removing the gallbladder, is necessary." Gallbladder removal surgery typically involves laparoscopic procedures, inserting 3 to 4 trocars around the navel and abdomen. However, in cases of asymptomatic gallstones, the gallbladder is not necessarily removed. If the stones are larger than 2.5 to 3 cm, or if there is calcification of the gallbladder, or if gallbladder polyps are present, which increase the risk of gallbladder cancer, cholecystectomy may be performed even without symptoms.

◇To prevent gallstones, it is good to improve lifestyle habits by eating regularly and reducing cholesterol intake. Avoid indiscriminate dieting and instead, decrease the total cholesterol level in bile through regular meals and exercise. Additionally, maintain proper eating habits to ensure the gallbladder secretes bile regularly. Reduce foods high in cholesterol such as squid, shrimp, butter, or margarine, and consume foods rich in unsaturated fats such as mackerel, nuts, olive oil, and perilla oil. If overweight, maintain a normal weight through appropriate exercise.

<Source: Health Chosun>