Tag: gallbladder disease

5 Christmas gift ideas for people with digestive disorders

Posted in digestive health, Diverticular Disease/Diverticulosis/Diverticulitis, Gallbladder, General health, IBD, IBSTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

December has arrived and the shops are getting busier already. People are trying to find thoughful gifts for their family, friends, colleagues or even for a secret santa. But what types of gift can you get for someone with a digestive disorder such as IBS, Diverticular Disease, Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis, gastritis or even gallbladder disease/gallstones? Read on for my top gift ideas this Christmas.

Heat pad/Hot water bottle

A lot of digestive disorders cause abdominal pain and discomfort which can often be soothed a little with a heat pad or hot water bottle. There are a huge variety of different products to choose from, for example, you can get electric heat pads, hot water bottles with all sorts of soft and novelty covers, or even a hot pack that you can heat up in the microwave. These are available in a huge variety of stores both in the high street or online.

The hot water bottle store (UK) has a variety of both hot water bottles and microwaveable products.

Sloth hot water bottle from Primark – £6

Primark also have some lovely hot water bottles this Christmas starting at just £4.

Reusable water bottle

Did you know that by the time you feel thirst, you are already dehydrated? Staying hydrated is hugely important for health and is extra important for those with digestive disorders. So, why not save the planet from a few more single-use plastic bottles and buy someone a reusable drinks bottle this Christmas? There are lots of different varieties to choose from; for example, you can get, aluminium (US: aluminum) bottles for those who avoid plastics, infuser bottles for those who aren’t a huge fan of drinking water and would like to add a little flavour (US: flavor)to it, bottles with flip up straws for easy sipping or even bottles that keep drinks cool or warm all day long.

Chilly’s water bottles are great for keeping a drink ice cold all day long. They cost around £25 each, but you can get them in some amazing designs and can even get them personalised (US: personalized).

You can pick up these bottles from pretty much anywhere, though. So have a good look around for something that suits your friend of family member best.

Hydration Devices

Again, hydration is SO important! So, if you know someone who finds it difficult to get in their 2-3 litres (US: liters) of water each day, or someone who enjoys gadgets, think about getting them a hydration device. These clever little devices can remind the user to have a drink throughout the day in order to meet their hydration goals. Some devices can even record how much you drank and how much is left before you meet your goal for the day. Here is an example of just two of these devices on the market, but I’m sure there are plenty more.

A pink Ulla device on a water bottle

Ulla device: This little device is small and cute. It’s available in a number of colours (US: colors) and designs but doesn’t monitor the amount you drink, just how often you drink. It is easy to attach to drinking bottles and will keep track of how often you are sipping from your bottle. These devices will set you back around 30 euros + shipping. However, if you are ordering multiple devices you will receive a discount and free shipping!

Example of a smart water hydration tracker

Smart water bottle: This genius water bottle is able to keep track of how often you drink and how much. It also encourages users to pace themselves throughout the day in order to meet their hydration goals. The bottle has a screen display which shows everything the user needs to know!

Food and symptom Diary

A food and symptom diary is a great gift for anyone who has a digestive disorder. Not only is it a good way for them to monitor their health, it is also an invaluable tool for their doctors. While there are numerous food and symptom diary printables and pdfs online, some people just prefer to have a physical book. You can get these diaries from various places. I found this particularly nice diary from The Food Diary Co. with lots of space to write all your details inside. However, it’s only available with a brown leather-look, vegan-friendly cover at the moment. I did find a couple on Amazon, too. But, you can look for one that suits your friend or family member’s preferences. You can make this an even better gift by adding some nice stationery to use alongside it!

Comfy Pyjamas and Clothing

As someone with multiple digestive disorders, let me tell you, pyjamas (US: pajamas) and comfy lounge-wear is always a great gift. People with digestive problems can often bloat up without any notice, so loose and comfortable clothing is really useful for these times. It’s great to be able to wear something that doesn’t hurt or dig into our tummy and is perfect for those days when we aren’t feeling well enough to leave the house. Lounge-wear and pyjamas are wonderful and you can get ones with great designs from pretty much anywhere (even your local supermarket). You could buy them some extra fluffy ones for the winter or even some novelty Christmas ones that they can put on immediately.

Men’s Christmas pyjamas from George @ ASDA – £10.33
Primark Christmas women’s pyjamas – £10

What did you think to my suggestions? Did you buy any of them for someone this Christmas?

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How to deal with acid reflux

Posted in Diet, digestive health, Diverticular Disease/Diverticulosis/Diverticulitis, Gallbladder, General health, Hospital, IBD, IBS, Medical examinationsTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Why do I get acid reflux?

Do you ever get a burning sensation in your throat or chest? If you do, it’s likely that you are suffering from acid reflux. People may also refer to acid reflux as ‘heartburn’ or ‘indigestion’.

So what is acid reflux? Well, in our stomach, there is a very strong acid. This acid is important for killing bad bacteria and for helping us to break down our food as a part of digestion. The stomach has a special lining to prevent this acid from damaging the walls of the stomach. However, if the acid happens to leave the stomach and move up the oesophagus (US: esophagus) then we may feel the acid burning in our throat or chest.

What are the symptoms of acid reflux?

There are a number of symptoms that people experience. For example, some people get a burning in their throat or chest, other get quite bad chest pains. Acid reflux can even wake us up in the night. In fact, a lot of sufferers find the symptoms of acid reflux worse when they lay down. Some people also experience nausea or a bitter taste in their mouth due to acid reflux

What are the causes of acid reflux?

There are many causes of acid reflux and so this list is not exhaustive, but here are a few of the most common causes.

Overindulgence – eating too much or food that is too rich in fat or sugar can cause acid reflux.

Poor eating habits – eating too large an amount, eating large bites without sufficient chewing, Eating too quickly, swallowing air while eating, eating too late at night. Find out more, here.

Too many antacids – taking too many antacids can make acid reflux even worse by over neutralizing stomach acid

Upset stomach – stomach bugs or eating something that doesn’t agree with us can cause reflux

Overproduction of acid – The overproduction of acid can mean that it travels up the oesophagus

Gastritis – inflammation of the stomach can mean that it produces excess acid or travels up the

Hiatus hernia – this may prevent food passing properly and can make it more difficult for acid to stay down in the stomach

Diseases of the digestive system – For reasons not always understood, bowel conditions such as Diverticular Disease and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) such as Crohn’s and Ulcerative colitis can be linked to acid reflux.

Gallbladder problems or removal – Dysfunction or removal of the gallbladder can cause excess bile which can lead to acid reflux. If you have severe reflux immediately after gallbladder removal, speak with the surgeon.

IBS – Irritable bowel syndrome can affect the transit of food and cause cramping which may lead to acid reflux.

Stomach/Gastric ulcer – stomach ulcers can cause excess acid production

H. Pylori infection – A overgrowth of a bacteria called H. Pylori in the stomach can lead to poor digestion and acid reflux as a result.

Antibiotics/Certain medications – Antibiotics often kill both bad and good bacteria and so a lack of good bacteria that aid digestion can cause some acid reflux, also, some other medications may affect digestion or stomach acid production

Obesity – the excess pressure on the body caused by excess weight can make acid travel up into the oesophagus, causing reflux.

Gastroparesis/Delayed gastric emptying – acid reflux can occur when food stays in the stomach for too long.

Stress/Anxiety – digestion slows down when we experience stress and anxiety, because of this, food tends to stick around in the stomach a little longer and so we can experience acid reflux.

Bariatric surgery – weight loss surgeries can increase the chance of reflux due to the tiny size of the stomach pouch. If this happens, you need to speak with your surgeon to find a solution; this may include medication or further surgery.

How can I prevent acid reflux?

Good eating habits – adopting good eating habits will help prevent reflux. This means eating small meals, taking small bites, chewing well and eating slowly. It also involves not eating late at night. You can read my post on good digestion habits to find out more.

Avoiding acidic foods – fruit juices, tomatoes, citrus fruits, alcohol, vinegar, coffee are all acidic foods that we eat. Some people can stop their reflux by simple cutting down on acidic foods or removing them from their diet.

Avoiding trigger foods – Some people are triggered by different foods, common triggers may involve nuts, cheese, carbonated drinks, etc. By using a food and symptom diary to identify trigger foods, you can cut these out of your diet.

Avoid smoking and alcohol – smoking and drinking alcohol are both thought to increase the chance of acid reflux since they are both harsh on the stomach. Smoking can also increase the chances of stomach ulcers, so if you suffer with reflux, it’s a good idea to try to quit.

Avoid taking a lot of painkillers unless told to by your doctor – taking too many painkillers can lead to stomach ulcers and excess acid production

Make sure when taking medications to follow the instructions (such as taking with food) – taking medicine on an empty stomach can be bad for the stomach, so be sure to

Avoid stressful situations – Trying our best to not get too stressed out or anxious can help prevent acid reflux.

How can I treat acid reflux?

If this is just a one-off episode of acid reflux, you can take a simple over the counter medication such as an antacid. Branded examples include Gaviscon, Pepto-Bismol, Rennie and Zantac (ranitidine). Take the lowest recommended dose and give it some time to work. This is important because if you take too much of these medicines, they can actually make the reflux worse by causing your stomach to produce even more acid.

If you are experiencing reflux regularly, have a look at if there is something specific that you are eating or doing to cause it. For example, does it only happen after a glass of wine? Or perhaps it happens after you eat tomatoes or drink coffee… The best way to investigate this is to keep a food and symptom diary, you can download a tracker from here. If you do find a trigger, consider cutting this out of your diet.

Sometimes alcohol triggers acid reflux – in some cases it’s best to just avoid it completely…

If you can’t find a specific trigger but you’re a smoker, consider quitting smoking to see if it makes a difference.

Now, if the acid reflux is happens regularly and you are unable to find relief by changing your diets or habits, then it is time to visit your doctor. Be sure to tell the doctor about any other symptoms you are experiencing, for example, abdominal pains or cramps, a change in bowel habits, nausea or vomiting, excessive belching/burping or passing gas and any disruptions to your sleep. If you have been keeping a food and symptom diary, take this along to your appointment. It will really help the doctor to understand your symptoms and provide an accurate diagnosis.

Your doctor may prescribe you a medication to take regularly in order to reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces such as ppis (proton pump inhibitors) such as Omeprazole. However, it is important to find the cause of the reflux rather than only treating the symptoms. To diagnose problems, a doctor may suggest you take a breath test for H. Pylori (a bacteria that can survive in the stomach’s acidic conditions) or undergo an endoscopy/gastroscopy where a camera inserted into the stomach. This allows a doctor to identify problems such as ulcers or inflammation. They can also take tissue biopsies during the endoscopy to test for further problems.

Why you shouldn’t ignore acid reflux…

 If you get acid reflux regularly, it’s very important to not ignore it and make sure to get it treated because long-term acid reflux can cause bigger problems. For example, regular acid reflux can cause tooth decay/and tooth acid erosion. It can also cause stomach ulcers, and can even increase your risk of stomach and oesophageal (US: esophageal) cancer in the future.

Do you suffer with acid reflux? Do you have a trigger food or drink? How do you deal with it?

Pre-op Gallbladder removal diet

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So, you’re waiting to get your gallbladder removed – Don’t worry, it’s not as bad as it sounds. In fact you can read about what gallbladder removal surgery entails here or you can read my own story on getting my gallbladder removed.

To avoid extremely painful gallbladder attacks or the worsening of your condition while waiting for your surgery, you can aim to have a low-fat diet. A diet low in fat will hopefully ward off any painful attacks and prevent gallstones from getting larger.

You can eat:

  • fruit and vegetables
  • white fish and white meats (no skin and cooked without the addition of fat)
  • Potatoes (not fried)
  • 2% or less milk and yoghurts
  • Low-fat cheese such as cottage cheese, feta, etc (check for fat contents of 4% of less)
  • pasta, rice, grains, breads, crackers and cereal
  • Tea, coffee, juices and soda

Avoid:

  • Full-fat dairy products (milk, yoghurt, cream, butter, cheese)
  • fried foods
  • Foods roasted in lots of fat/oil
  • fatty meats such as bacon, lamb, duck, etc
  • chocolate, cakes and sweets/biscuits
  • large amounts of oils

Try not to do a no-fat diet because this can cause the gallbladder to become even worse. Stick to low-fat and try not to eat large portions. Instead aim to have smaller snacks and portions throughout the day. This will help your gallbladder keep working and prevent discomfort after eating.

Want to know more about what comes next? Read Gallbladder Removal Surgery – Cholescystectomy and let me know what you think.

Gallbladder removal surgery – Cholescystectomy

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Gallbladder removal or a cholescystectomy is a common surgery carried out by surgeons all over the world. The gallbladder is an organ located in our upper-right abdomen, just beneath the liver. It is the place where bile is stored. Bile is a yellow/green liquid produced by the liver when it breaks down substances in the body (including our old red blood cells).

The job of bile in the body is to emulsify fats – it does this by breaking up the fats and oils we consume into smaller droplets so that our body can digest it more easily. It also helps to neutralise the acidic chyme (food + stomach acid mixture) that leaves the stomach and enters the small intestine.

The reasons for a cholescystectomy include;

  • gallstones
  • gallbladder disease/infection / cholecystitis
  • non-functional gallbladder/gallbladder sludge
  • polyps

So what is the surgery like?

Well, these days, most cases are done laparoscopically. This means that it is done using several small incisions in the abdomen (for example in the navel, right side of the abdomen and possibly an incision in the centre of the upper-abdomen. Most patients have three or four incisions, but there are cases of people having less or more. The surgery is carried out under general anaesthetic. This means that you’ll be asleep and unaware of anything going on. Most patients are intubated (with a breathing tube) for this procedure, but are not usually catheterised. The surgery usually lasts between one and two hours. Depending on your hospital, some people may go home the same day and in others, they may be asked to stay in hospital overnight.

If you have an open surgery, the surgeon will make a large incision in the upper-right abdomen and take the gallbladder out from here. This is avoided where possible since it increases the length of time needed for recovery and hospitalisation.

During a laparascopic surgery, the surgeon will inflate the abdomen with gas. This helps provide more space in side to move around and perform the procedure. Then a camera will be inserted into one of the incisions so that the surgeon can see what he is doing. After this, various tools will be inserted into incisions to cut the gallbladder free. Medical titanium surgical clips will be placed to cut off tubes that connected the liver to the gallbladder. These metal clips will remain inside your body for the rest of your life.

Of course like any surgery, it does carry risks and there are complications that can arise. However, for this surgery, complications are rare and most patients deal with it very well.

What is the recovery period like?

Well, for me, it wasn’t too difficult. But everyone heals at different speeds and has a different experience without their gallbladder. Some people are back at work within a few days, and others may take a couple of months to get back to normal.

My advice is not to rush yourself. Recovery is an important process for our body and to recover well you need to rest and relax while trying to stay healthy. Your surgeon will give you some guidelines for aftercare and recovery, so it’s important to stick to those as much as your possibly can.

General guidelines include:

  • No lifting/carrying for 6 weeks – During the surgery the abdominal muscles are often cut. Heavy lifting, carrying or even straining on the toilet can cause these muscles to separate and increase your risk of a hernia.
  • No baths – whether your surgeon has used stitches or medical glue, it isn’t advisable to take a bath too early on. The water can soften the healing tissue or the glue and can increase the risk of infection. Taking a shower might be okay, but you should ask your surgeon if they recommend covering the incisions with waterproof dressings beforehand.
  • Check the incision sites regularly for redness, feeling warm to the touch and weeping. Clear fluid weeping from incisions may be normal, but if the fluid is yellow and opaque and/or you have any of the above symptoms, it may be worth mentioning to your surgeon.
  • Stick to a post-op gallbladder diet if given one.
  • Take regular, gentle exercise but DON’T overdo it!

To read about my gallbladder story click here! Want to share your story? Get in touch with me so that we can tell your story, too!

What to pack in your hospital bag

Posted in digestive health, Diverticular Disease/Diverticulosis/Diverticulitis, Gallbladder, General health, Hospital, IBD, Medical examinations, UncategorizedTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Maybe it’s just me, but after being in hospital a few times with diverticulitis and then from a gallbladder removal surgery, I like to make sure I always have a bag ready for the hospital. Usually, this bag lives under the bed, but sometimes it accompanies us in the back of the car on long journeys and trips. But, it makes me feel better knowing that everything I need is ready to grab and go should I end up in hospital. Below, I’ve included my list of things that I keep packed in my hospital bag.

My List

  • pyjamas/nightie
  • comfortable and easy to put on footwear (e.g. slippers/sliders/crocs/flip flops)
  • underwear
  • wet wipes
  • toothbrush/toothpaste
  • hairbrush and headbands/hair ties
  • lip balm
  • flannel/face wash cloth
  • travel soap/liquid soap/body wash
  • towel (not white)
  • pillow (not in a white pillow case)
  • chargers for any smartphones, tablets, e-readers
  • feminine hygiene/sanitary products
  • comfortable bra/bandeau bra

If course, if it is a planned visit, you can pack especially for your stay remembering to include any books/tablets/chargers/etc. medications.

If you don’t want to have a bag packed constantly, I’d recommend keeping a list of everything you’d like to have with you in the hospital so that if the worst happens, either you, a family member or a friend can see exactly what to pack for you – and do it relatively stress-free. You can keep the list stuck to the fridge or family notice board or even inside the bag or suitcase you would use to pack for the hospital so that it’s in there for when you need it.

What do you think of my hospital bag list? Is there anything else you always take with you? Let me know in the comments.