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A gallbladder polyp is a piece of tissue that grows on the inside wall of the gallbladder, usually protruding from the interior lining. They may be tiny, but they sometimes grow to one centimeter in diameter or larger. Gallbladder polyps are present in approximately 4-5 percent of patients who complain to their doctor of gallbladder pain.

Medical researchers have not been able to discover the precise cause of gallbladder polyps. But statistically, someone who has reached 50 years of age or already has gallstones is more likely to have gallbladder polyps.

Gallbladder polyps fall into five different categories.

* Cholesterosis – This type is partially formed by cholesterol and is the most common of the five categories.

* Adenocarcinoma – This type is actually a form of gallbladder cancer, and is therefore dangerous.

There are three other types, but they are relatively rare. They are called hyperplastic, adenomyomatosis, and cholecystosis.

Most people who have this disorder don’t even know it because gallbladder polyp symptoms are rare. One symptom that occasionally appears is discomfort in the upper right abdomen. it may be constant, or it may come and go. Gallbladder polyp pain is rarely severe and constant. Such pain is more often a symptom of gallstones.

Polyps are usually detected when your doctor does a gallbladder polyp ultrasound test, but he or she would normally use such a diagnostic tool only if other symptoms of gallbladder trouble have appeared.

In cases where polyps are detected, your doctor will schedule a follow up to test for cancer.

Most of the time, there’s no need for gallbladder polyp treatment or management. But in rare instances where gallbladder polyp pain becomes distressing enough, your doctor may recommend solving the problem with an operation. This is usually done with gallbladder removal surgery, and is especially likely if gallstones are also present. Doctors use the name “cholecystectomy” for gallbladder removal surgery. You can live without a gallbladder, so if you’re starting to have gallbladder problems, removal may be the smartest way to prevent future trouble. Your liver is capable of handling many of the functions normally performed by the gallbladder.

As was previously mentioned, the most common gallbladder polyp (known as cholesterosis) is a combination of cholesterol and tissue. To prevent gallbladder problems in general and gallbladder polyp problems in particular, it’s important to eat a diet that includes a lot of cholesterol free or low cholesterol foods.

Here are some other tips that will help prevent gallbladder polyps and other gallbladder conditions:

* eat fried foods as little as possible and reduce the amount of red meat you consume * olive oil and vinegar are your best choices for salad dressing. Avoid dressings that contain a lot of sugar or unhealthy fats. * stay away from high cholesterol, fatty foods and big meals just before bedtime* if you’re on a weight loss program, make sure you shed pounds at a reasonable pace. Crash diets that cause sudden and rapid weight loss may hurt your gallbladder.

To avoid making gallbladder trouble worse if you already have problems

* do not drink sodas and similar carbonated beverages * prefer low fat dairy products to higher fat varieties * prefer lean meats to fattier cuts and cut off excess visible fat before cooking. * discuss fish oil supplements with your doctor. Fish oil contains a beneficial type of fat that limits cholesterol formation.. * look for opportunities to add tumeric and ginger to your meals. Both of these are beneficial for gallbladder health..

As you might expect, food that is good for your gallbladder is also good for your heart. so make sure to include a lot of fruits, vegetables and grains in your daily meals.

To learn more about cancer and gallbladder polyps, click on gallbladder polyp dangers. Also click on gallbladder removal operation for more information about gallbladder removal surgery. Neal Kennedy is a retired TV and radio journalist. You can read more of his articles by clicking on Gallbladder Health.