During holidays like Chuseok or Lunar New Year, tables are often filled with rich, oily dishes like pan-fried fish, fried foods, braised short ribs, and stir-fried noodles. While delicious, these foods can pose a risk for digestive issues. If you frequently experience indigestion or discomfort after meals, gallbladder disease may be something to consider.
According to the National Health Insurance Service, the number of gallstone disease cases increased significantly from approximately 102,000 in 2009 to nearly 270,000 by 2023—an increase of over 270%. As more people are diagnosed with gallstones, cases of cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder) are also on the rise. Preventing and managing this condition is crucial, and dietary control plays a key role.
Causes and Symptoms of Cholecystitis
About 90% of cholecystitis cases are caused by gallstones, which can result from a diet high in cholesterol, excessive sugar intake, or poor eating habits. Extreme dieting can also lead to the development of gallstones. Meanwhile, acalculous cholecystitis (cholecystitis without gallstones) has no clear cause, but it tends to occur in individuals who have fasted for long periods, are bedridden, or are elderly people with diabetes. Key symptoms of cholecystitis include pain in the upper right abdomen, nausea, and vomiting.
Managing Acute Cholecystitis: Fasting and Liquid Diets
Acute cholecystitis can cause severe pain due to increased gallbladder activity. To minimize this, fasting for 1-2 days is recommended. During this period, patients are typically given IV fluids to ensure hydration and electrolyte balance. Once symptoms subside, they can slowly reintroduce food with carbohydrate-based liquid meals like thin porridge or soup. It's crucial to avoid solid foods in the acute stage and to gradually transition back to normal eating as the digestive system recovers.
Managing Chronic Cholecystitis: Low-Fat, Balanced Diet
Patients with chronic cholecystitis need long-term dietary management. Avoiding fats entirely can lead to a deficiency in essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), so it's important to follow a low-fat diet while maintaining a balanced intake of nutrients. In more severe cases, avoiding foods that produce intestinal gas is also recommended. Foods like beans, cabbage, radishes, kimchi, corn, melons, and apples can cause gas, which may worsen symptoms.
Dietary Habits for Preventing and Managing Cholecystitis
- Low-fat diet: To prevent and manage cholecystitis, it's essential to avoid high-fat foods and opt for low-fat alternatives. Foods like fried dishes, pan-fried foods, and fatty meats should be avoided.
- Balanced nutrition: Don’t eliminate fats entirely. Make sure your diet includes healthy fats, such as those found in olive oil and nuts, while ensuring you're getting enough essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins.
- Eat small, frequent meals: Instead of eating large meals, it's better to have smaller, more frequent meals to avoid putting too much strain on the gallbladder.
- Avoid spicy and salty foods: Spicy and overly salty foods can irritate the gallbladder, so it's best to minimize consumption of these types of dishes.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water is essential for maintaining digestive health.
Conclusion
Dietary management for cholecystitis differs depending on whether it is acute or chronic. In acute cases, fasting is necessary to reduce the strain on the gallbladder, while in chronic cases, a low-fat diet with balanced nutrition is important to prevent complications. To avoid developing cholecystitis, it’s best to avoid high-fat, high-cholesterol diets and maintain consistent health management practices to protect gallbladder health.
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