Gallbladder polyps, grow inside the gallbladder, where they often protrude from the interior lining. They are masses of tissue that vary in size, ranging from tiny to one centimeter in diameter or larger. Approximately one in twenty-five patients are found to have gallbladder polyps when they visit their doctor for gallbladder problems.
At this time, it's not known exactly why gallbladder polyps occur. However, those who are fifty years of age or more, or already have gallstones, are more likely to have gallbladder polyps than other people.
Five different gallbladder polyp types have been categorized.
* Cholesterosis - This type appears more often than any other kind in those who have gallbladder problems. These are partially formed by cholesterol.
* Adenocarcinoma - This type is malignant. In other words, it is a form of gallbladder cancer.
There are three other types, but they are relatively rare. They are called hyperplastic, adenomyomatosis, and cholecystosis.
Gallbladder polyp symptoms are practically non-existent. When there are symptoms, however, there's likely to be some pain or tenderness in the upper right abdomen, which may come and go or may be constant. Gallbladder polyp symptoms don't include severe pain. If pain is severe, it's probably caused by gallstones, not polyps.
Polyps are usually detected when your doctor does a gallbladder polyp ultrasound test, but he or she would normally use such a diagnostic tool only if other symptoms of gallbladder trouble have appeared.
If gallbladder polyps are discovered, more tests will be needed to find out if they're malignant (cancerous).
Most of the time, there's no need for gallbladder polyp treatment or management. But in rare instances where gallbladder polyp pain becomes distressing enough, your doctor may recommend solving the problem with an operation. This is usually done with gallbladder removal surgery, and is especially likely if gallstones are also present. Another name for gallbladder removal surgery is a cholecystectomy. You can live without a gallbladder, so if you're starting to have gallbladder problems, removal may be the smartest way to prevent future trouble. Your liver is capable of handling many of the functions normally performed by the gallbladder.
Once again, cholesterosis is the most common type of gallbladder polyp, and it is formed partially by cholesterol. Cholesterol, in fact, causes a variety of gallbladder problems.To maintain your best possible gallbladder health, eat a lot of cholesterol free foods and maintain a low cholesterol diet.
By following these other tips, you'll improve your chances of never having gallbladder polyps or other gallbladder disorders:
* reduce your consumption of fried foods as much as possible and limit the amount of red meat in your diet
* use olive oil and vinegar on salads. Many commercial salad dressings contain unhealthy sugar and fats.
* avoid rich, fatty foods and big meals just before you go to bed
* If you're on a weight loss program, make sure you shed pounds at a reasonable pace. Crash diets that cause sudden and rapid weight loss may hurt your gallbladder.
To avoid more gallbladder health problems if you already have them
* avoid carbonated drinks
* prefer low fat dairy products to higher fat varieties
* shop for leaner cuts of meat and remove visible fat before cooking.
* ask your doctor about fish oil capsules. These contain omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce the amount of cholesterol formation in bile..
* find recipes that contain ginger and tumeric, which have been shown to be good for the gallbladder.
It will come as no surprise that food that's good for your gallbladder is good for your heart too. So plan to include a lot of fruits, grains and vegetables in your meals.
To learn more about cancer and gallbladder polyps, click on gallbladder polyps. Also click on gallbladder removal surgery for more information about gallbladder removal surgery. Neal Kennedy is a former radio and television reporter. You can read more of his articles by clicking on Gallbladder Health Articles.
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