Foods To Eat To Prevent Cholangitis

There is no particular food that can prevent cholangitis, but you can make dietary changes to reduce your risk of developing gallstones, which are one of several factors that may lead to a cholangitis infection. If you have chronic cholangitis, you can alter your diet to reduce the strain on your liver and make up for the nutrients your liver is unable to process. Consult your physician before making any dietary changes.

Definition

Cholangitis is a bacterial infection of the common bile duct, which descends from your liver and divides into a Y-connection that leads to your gallbladder and intestines. Symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever and chills, dark urine, jaundice and light gray stools. Such an infection can be a one-time incident, usually caused by a gallstone or tumor, or it can be a recurring condition that results from HIV, inflammatory bowel disease, a parasitic infection or a narrowing of your bile duct. The infection can spread to the liver. If the condition is chronic, it may cause scarring of the duct, a condition called sclerosing cholangitis. This form of the disease leads to liver damage and ultimately to liver failure.

Treatment

Immediate treatment involves removal of the body blocking the bile duct, which restores the flow of bile. Your doctor also may prescribe an antibiotic to help your body to combat the infection. If the condition is chronic, however, there is no cure. Your doctor may prescribe medication to help relieve your symptoms and to control infections as they develop. She also may place a plastic stent in your bile duct to help keep it open and promote good bile flow. As your liver function decreases, your doctor may discuss with you the possibility of a liver transplant. This is the only cure for the disease, but supplies of donor organs are limited, so your doctor cannot offer this option until your liver function reaches the point of failure.

Malnutrition

Chronic cholangitis often leads to malnutrition for several reasons. It affects your metabolism and your ability to absorb fat and nutrients. It also impacts on your stomach's ability to empty food into your intestine. Because of the inflammation, you may feel full quickly, which may cause you to consume fewer calories and nutrients than your body needs. As a result, you may experience anemia and muscle loss. Your doctor may recommend vitamin and mineral supplements to help replace nutrients missing from your diet. If your malnutrition is severe, your doctor may recommend intravenous feeding or a stomach tube.

Diet to Decrease Gallstone Risk

No food can prevent a bacterial infection, such as cholangitis, but high fiber foods, especially fresh fruits and vegetables, may to help decrease your risk of developing gallstones, which are a contributing factor, according to experts at the Mayo Clinic. A damaged liver has difficulty processing vitamin A, so limit your seafood intake to two servings per week and do not consume raw fish or cod liver oil. Liver damage often causes a vitamin K deficiency, but you can help replace it with foods rich in this nutrient, including green leafy vegetables and alfalfa sprouts. Abstain from alcohol and lower your fat intake to reduce the strain on your liver.