Your gallbladder sits on the right side of your abdomen, beneath your liver. The pear-shaped organ collects digestive fluids, or bile, that the liver excretes. And while its job is a dirty one, it is not critical, because bile is able to travel to the duodenum without the gallbladder. Because a poor diet of fried foods can promote gallstones and gallbladder attacks, fried-onion fans may find that this greasy vegetable is a chief offender.
Fried Onions
A diet of fried onions and other greasy selections can promote the formation of gallstones, the rock-like deposits of digestive fluid that may be as small as a pebble or as large as a golf ball. Approximately 10 percent of people in the United States develop gallstones as a result of diet, drugs and environmental toxins, according to Dixie Mills, M.D., in an article for Women to Women. Not all gallstones lead to gallbladder attacks, however. Many people aren't even aware that the stones have formed. When large stones become trapped in the opening where the gallbladder narrows, a blockage occurs in the cystic duct and causes a gallbladder attack.
Signs and Symptoms
Signs of a gallbladder attack include severe pain in the top, right side of your abdomen. The pain may intensify and travel to the center of your abdomen, below your breastbone. You may have pain between your shoulder blades or in your right shoulder. The pain may be brief, lasting only minutes, or it may continue for hours following a fried-onion feast.
Prevention
Because fried onions and other fatty foods increase bile production, they often promote gallstones and subsequent gallbladder attacks. People who have histories of gallstones should refrain from eating these foods excessively. Other offenders include processed foods, such as cookies and chips. Since carbohydrates convert to sugar in your body, they may also lead to the development of gallstones if you eat too many. Foods that are shown to reduce your risk of developing gallstones include fruits and vegetables, nuts and other high-fiber foods. Coffee is shown to be beneficial as well because it stimulates bladder contractions and lowers cholesterol concentrations in bile, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. For a more complete look at ways to reduce gallstones, consult a dietician for advice tailored to your health and lifestyle.
Treatments
Treatments for gallstones range from medications to surgery. Some people who are prone to gallstones may find that lifestyle changes, such as weight loss and diet modifications, are enough to correct the problem. Avoiding fried onions will be necessary. Medications help dissolve gallstones, but may take years to do so, says MayoClinic.com. A surgical procedure, called a cholecystectomy, is a last-resort option for people whose gallstones are recurring and problematic.
