Gallbladder is an organ that helps our body in its digestion process by releasing an acidic fluid that fastens the process of digestion in the small intestine. But there are times when it becomes utmost necessary for doctors to remove your gallbladder through a surgery. Follow this article to know about how gallbladder surgery can derange your sleep and how to sleep after gallbladder surgery.
Gallbladder surgery is one of the most usual surgeries in the world. Majority of the people have been through it. It takes place when there is an infection or gallstones in your gallbladder. This can cause you to have indigestion, vomiting, gas, and extreme pain. The pain will not be bearable and it feels like any moment your gallbladder will explode. Although gallbladder plays an important role in the digestion process, removing it will not bring you any harm.
Gallbladder is an organ that is located under your liver on your right side. It releases an alkaline fluid called bile which consists of bile salts, cholesterol, water, electrolytes, and phospholipids that fastens the entire process of digestion in your small intestine. It may not be a great deal to get your gallbladder removed but it is supreme that you take care of yourself afterwards, especially when you sleep. It can be tough for you to fall asleep, especially after your operation but there are some things that can help you in that regard.
Follow this article to know more about how gallbladder surgery can derange your sleep and how to sleep after gallbladder surgery.
Table of Contents
What are some of the signs that you need gallbladder surgery?
Gallbladder can be removed under the conditions that you have gallstones or you have an infection in your gallbladder. Following are some of the signs that you need gallbladder surgery.
- Fever
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Indigestion
- Heartburn and gas
Fever:
When a person is suffering from an infection or gallstones in their gallbladder then, they will be under fever. Their body temperature will heat up and you will suffer from mild or high fever. The constant nausea and pain will make the situation even worse for you.
Abdominal pain:
The most prominent and the most throbbing sign would be the abdominal pain. There will be a gut-wrenching pain in your upper middle abdomen and it will feel like your gallbladder will burst out any moment. The pain will not let you focus on anything else. It will be extremely excruciating and you will not be able to control it. This is a major sign that something is wrong with your gallbladder and that you need medical attention.
Vomiting:
Vomiting is another sign of an abnormal gallbladder. You will have constant vomiting with the pain. You will not be able to keep down anything and you will vomit everything that you have eaten in your day so far. This will be because of indigestion.
Indigestion:
Another sign that your gallbladder is not working fine is indigestion. The gallbladder is responsible for digestion but when there are stones or infection in your gallbladder then, it will not be able release the bile. This will cause indigestion and vomiting. Your body will not be able to keep down anything and you will feel nauseated.
Heartburn and gas:
There is a possibility that you will feel heartburn and gas because of the indigestion. When your stomach will not be able to process the food properly then, it might become gastric which can come up towards your heart causing it to burn. The entire process will be extremely painful for you.
What are the types of surgeries used to remove gallbladder?
With the help of CT scans and ultrasound, the doctors will know what is wrong with your gallbladder, whether it is the stones or an infection. In any case, following are the types of surgeries a patient can undergo to have their gallbladder removed.
- Open cholecystectomy
- Laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Open cholecystectomy:
Open cholecystectomy is a traditional way of having your gallbladder removed. Your doctor will open your abdomen from the upper right area to six inches and take out your gallbladder. This is a traditional way of dealing with gallbladder surgery, you will heal approximately in a few weeks.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy:
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy will be done with high technology. There will be a tiny incision near your gallbladder area in your upper abdomen. This process is much easier and quicker than open cholecystectomy. The patient will be able to heal early and they will be able resume their daily routine after resting for one week.
How can gallbladder surgery derange your sleep?
It will be tough for you to sleep after having your gallbladder removed mainly because of the pain from the operation. Aside from pain, following are some things that can derange a person’s sleep after gallbladder surgery.
- Pressure on abdomen
- Incision
- Insomnia
- New sleeping position
- Stress and anxiety
Pressure on abdomen:
When you are trying to sleep after having your gallbladder surgery then, it is advised that you must not put pressure on your abdomen. Unconsciously, when you move from your position and you put a pressure on your abdomen then, the pain will not let you rest. Especially when you are trying to sleep, you move to find a better and comfortable position for yourself, this way there is a chance you will put pressure on your abdomen.
Incision:
Whether you had open gallbladder surgery or laparoscopic gallbladder surgery, you will feel pain in your incisions. Especially the area around your incision, you will feel a stinging and itchy sensation there. You would want nothing more than to scratch that area to get some sort of relief. Stinging in your incisions and the pain in them will not let you have a good night’s sleep.
Insomnia:
General anesthesia can make it hard for people to fall asleep. It can derange your internal schedule, the general anesthesia will lower your body temperature and the melatonin production in your system. ;this will cause you to have insomnia in the initial days. The general anesthesia slowly starts to go away after a few days.
New sleeping position:
It will be difficult for a person to sleep in a new position. For example, if you had a habit of sleeping on your stomach and that was a comfortable position according to you then, it will be tough for you to sleep in a new position. You cannot sleep on your stomach as it will put pressure on your abdomen. You will not be able to sleep comfortably in a new position and this can cause you to have trouble falling asleep.
Stress and anxiety:
The stress and anxiety can be with you before and after your surgery. Before because you are scared and there is a lot going on in your mind. You have this fear that what if something goes wrong in the middle of the surgery. You will be in mental stress before and after your surgery and this can stay with you for as long as you start to heal.
How to sleep after gallbladder surgery?
Perhaps it will not be easy for you to sleep properly after having gallbladder surgery. Mainly it happens because of the pain that comes after your anesthesia starts to go away. You will be uncomfortable for some time, here are some tips you can use to sleep after gallbladder surgery.
- Sleep on your back
- Take some painkillers
- Good sleeping environment
- A little exercise
- Do not eat something heavy
- Essential oils
Sleep on your back:
It is supreme for you to sleep on your back. Do not sleep on your stomach and on your right side. Your right side has incisions that can cause you extreme pain if you put pressure on it. So, it is best if you sleep on your back or if you are not comfortable sleeping on your back then, you can try sleeping on your left with a pillow that supports your back. This way you will not be uncomfortable and you will be able to sleep properly.
Take some painkillers:
There is a chance that when your anesthesia starts to go away, you will start to feel pain. The pain will not let you sleep properly. So, you can try some painkillers that are prescribed by your doctor. Do not take any medication without consulting with your doctor first.
Good sleeping environment:
It is essential that you have a comfortable environment at home. Everything that you need is present near you and your room should be at a comfortable temperature. Whatever you need, should be right beside you, this way you would not have to move a lot for things. Your mobile, charger, earphones, medicines, water, remote for AC, remote for television, and other things that you might need.
A little exercise:
Resting does not mean that you do not have to move at all. You should do little exercises that your doctor advised you to do. Since your gallbladder is removed, you cannot sit around after eating because this might result in indigestion. Walk slowly after eating your meal for at least ten minutes. This will help you stay active and this will also bring the food down your system.
Do not eat something heavy:
It is supreme that you avoid eating heavy meals. Since your gallbladder was just removed, perhaps your stomach will not be able to digest anything heavy. Eat light meals with little to no oil. This way your body will have no trouble digesting the food without your gallbladder.
Essential oils:
It is widely believed that aromatherapy really helps a person heal. You can also use an oil diffuser that diffuses essential oils around you. This way you will be able to calm yourself down and relieve some stress from your body. You can use lavender, eucalyptus, chamomile, and rosemary essential oils.
Is there any way you can get rid of gallstones naturally?
Gallstones will lead to gallbladder surgery and it is not a wise thing to l;eave them in your body. You will suffer from extreme pain every once in a while. Going for a gallbladder removal can be terrifying for some people and they will keep on delaying it till the very last moment. Here are some natural ways you can get rid of your gallstones.
- Gallbladder cleansing
- Apple cider vinegar
- Yoga
- Milk thistle
- Artichoke
- Acupuncture
- Castor oil
Gallbladder cleansing:
Gallbladder can help a person get rid of the gallstones. Cleansing of gallbladder is done with olive oil, herbs, and juice. A person has to drink this mixture for two or three days and during this course, they cannot have anything else. This will break down your gallstones and they will come out through your urine.
Apple cider vinegar:
Apple cider vinegar can also help in cleansing of your gallbladder. You can mix it with the oil mixture if you do not want to consume it directly. Consuming apple cider vinegar is not a good idea when you have stomach ulcers.
Yoga:
According to research, yoga can help a person who is suffering from gallstones. Yoga can put pressure on your gallstones breaking them into little pieces. Although there are people who disagree with yoga being a solution for gallstones.
Milk thistle:
Milk thistle is used worldwide as a treatment for liver problems and for gallstones. It can lower the blood sugar levels in your body so, it is wise to consult your doctor before you start consuming it. Milk thistle is also available in the form of a pill that you can consume easily. You have to take advice from a healthcare professional first because there is a chance that you might be allergic to it.
Artichoke:
Artichoke is another natural thing that you can consume to treat your liver problems and your gallstones. Artichoke stimulates the bile inside your gallbladder and helps in getting rid of the gallstones. You can have it in the form of grilled, steamed, pickled, or in the pill form. You can consume it in any way you like but after consulting your doctor.
Acupuncture:
Acupuncture is a traditional chinese treatment that consists of thin needles being placed into your body. This will help you during the pain and it will also create a good bile flow in your blood. Acupuncture can treat gallstones by creating lines of energy into certain parts of your body. Thin needles will be inserted near your upper abdomen to increase the bile flow.
Castor oil:
Castor oil can be used in the cleansing of your gallbladder. There are people who use it to relieve pain from the gallstones. They will massage their upper abdomen lightly with the castor oil. This will help in the treatment of gallstones.
Conclusion:
Just like the rest of the organs in our body, the gallbladder is also very important, but not so important that we cannot survive without it. If it is in good shape then, it is perfect. But if there is an infection in your gallbladder or stones in your gallbladder then, it is best that you have it removed through a surgery. Although the surgery for having your gallbladder is pretty common and there are no serious after effects. But there is one that you would not be able to sleep comfortably initially. The pain from the incision and when the anesthesia starts to go away, all of this will make you feel uncomfortable.
You are not allowed to put pressure on your right abdomen because that is where the doctor’s made the incision. You have to either sleep on your left side or on your back. If you were habitual of sleeping on your stomach then, it will be extremely uncomfortable for you. You will have to lay down straight as you cannot afford to put pressure on your abdomen. You can also use some painkillers to make the pain go away when it gets unbearable for you. But do not use any medication without consulting your doctor first. Also, you cannot eat a heavy meal right after your surgery because your body will not be able to digest it. Eat light meals with little oil, this way your body will be able to digest all the food without any trouble.
