DEAR DR. GOTT: First, I want to thank you for educating readers about health issues. My mother always read your articles and passes on your advice. I, too, became an avid reader of your column. In fact, you saved the 26-year-old daughter of a friend of mine from having a colostomy bag which was the solution given by her doctor for constant diarrhea. I sent her the article where you suggested an antidepressant for resolving the issue. Why didn’t her doctor know about this? You educate both us laymen and doctors.
Second, I want to comment on an article about a 71-year-old female’s gallbladder problem. I, too, suffer from all the symptoms she listed and have for the past 10 months. My doctor sent me to a surgeon who told me I was asymptomatic (no pain, only the discomfort of digesting food) and therefore, had less than a 10% chance of feeling any better after the gallbladder was removed. He told me I could schedule surgery now or wait until pain developed and then go immediately to the emergency room. I decided to wait as surgery has its risks and no real benefit for me if I am going to continue to have symptoms. My eating habits have changed. I eat smaller amounts and avoid certain foods. I have good days and bad days regardless of what I eat and figure it is all part of the “fun” of aging.
Keep educating us laymen and see what you can do to get more doctors to read your column. Thanks.
DEAR READER: Thank you for the compliments and kind words. I am also pleased that one of my columns prevented a young woman from receiving an unnecessary surgical procedure. As to why the doctor did not know about the remedy I recommended I cannot say, except that there are many remedies for many things and it is simply impossible for a doctor to know them all. However, a little research can go a long way, and unfortunately, many doctors prefer to refer back to their classroom teachings as tried and true answers rather than taking a few moments to look up what is new and current. For some things this is fine as many aspects of disease treatment remain the same, year in and year out, but it’s always a safer bet to stay current for possible new options.
Gallbladder disease, a term used to described gallbladder-related problems, is fairly common. These issues can include gallstones, cholecystitis (inflammation), sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, and more. It is possible to have asymptomatic disease, meaning it occurs without symptoms and is usually diagnosed by accident during testing for other disorders. However, because you are experiencing symptoms, you are NOT asymptomatic. I am not clear why your physician would have told you that you were when you are displaying symptoms.
That said, if your symptoms are manageable, you are undergoing regular checkups to monitor your condition and are making lifestyle changes to reduce the signs, then putting off surgery is a good idea. There is no diet proven to be helpful but reducing or eliminating greasy, fatty and fried foods altogether and eating more frequent, smaller meals are known ways to reduce symptoms of gallbladder disease. If applicable, avoiding alcohol, quitting smoking and losing weight are also general recommendations that may help this and many other medical conditions and improve health at the same time.
Finally, your statement that you consider your current issue to be part of the “fun” of aging is incorrect. Gallbladder issues are not a common result of the aging process and you should not merely live with them. The gallbladder can malfunction at any age (although it is more common as we age). Anyone with digestive issues should seek help from a general physician or gastroenterologist. For some, simple steps such as including exercise and changing eating habits may help, whereas for others, more serious problems come in to play and medication or even surgery may be necessary.
Readers who are interested in learning more can order my Health Report “Gallbladder Disease” by sending a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and a $2 US check or money order to Dr. Peter Gott, PO Box 433, Lakeville, CT 06039. Be sure to mention the title when writing or print an order form from my website, www.AskDrGottMD.com.
