What side to lay on during a gallbladder attack? (+1 facts)
By
Ivan Kahwa
Author bio
Mr Ivan Kahwa is a chemist and phytopharmaceutical scientist with expertise in chemistry, pharmacology, phytochemistry, and Nanobiotechnology. He writes and reviews content on these topics.
Mr Ivan Kahwa’s Highlights:
Guest Researcher at the University of Leipzig, Senior Research Fellow/Scientist, and Lecturer at the Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Professional Experience:
Mr Ivan joined PHARMBIOTRAC as a research fellow/scientist during his master of science tenure. He contributed to the development of most of the phytopharmaceutical products in the project. Furthermore, he participated in carrying out the pharmacological activities of the developed products in laboratory animals such as mice and rats in order to develop proper doses hence leading to pre-clinical studies.
With the above relevant research experience, Ivan started to work with the University of Leipzig on collaborative projects with Mbarara University to develop the chemistry of Ugandan Medicinal plants and their pharmacological activities. This was coupled with several consultative positions by different German NGOs. Mr. Kahwa is also a supporting in the teaching and learning at the Departments of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
With the increase in antimicrobial resistance globally, Ivan retooled his thinking towards developing new naturally derived antibiotic regimens from Ugandan propolis with the assistance of nanotechnology to improve their delivery to microbial cells. Kahwa has also published over 28 articles in peer-reviewed journals and he is currently reviewing for many journals.
Education:
2023-2027: PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences (ongoing) with a focus on Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Nanobiology at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
2022: 2Msc. in Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine Science at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
2018: Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Publications:
▪ Iqbal, S., Jabeen, F., Kahwa, I., & Omara, T. 2023. Suberosin Alleviates Thiazolidinedione-Induced Cardiomyopathy in Diabetic Rats by Inhibiting Ferroptosis via Modulation of ACSL4-LPCAT3 and PI3K-AKT Signaling Pathways. Cardiovascular Toxicology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12012-023-09804-7
▪ Gupta, A. K., Yadav, R., Sharma, S., Sawale, J., & Kahwa, I. 2023. Anti-ageing Activity and Antioxidant Activity of Methanol Extracts of Leaves and Flowers of Salvia officinalis and Rosmarinus officinalis. Journal of Young Pharmacists, 15(3), 448–455. https://doi.org/10.5530/jyp.2023.15.60
▪ Tolo, C.U., Kahwa, I., Nuwagira, U., Weisheit, A. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Medicinal plants used in treatment of various diseases in the Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 25, pp.1-16.
https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/4683
▪ Kahwa, I., Ajayi, C.O., Yadav, R., Chauhan, N.S., Shah, K., Abdelgadir, A.A., Shegena, E.A., Daniel, S., Omara, T., Asiimwe, J.B. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies as an invaluable approach for correct identification of medicinal plants: The case of Artemisia vulgaris L. substituted for Artemisia annua L. in Western Uganda. TMR Integr Med, 7, p.e23004.
https://doi.org/10.53388/TMRIM202307004
▪ Nalimu, F., Oloro, J., Kahwa, I. and Ogwang, P.E., 2021. Review on the phytochemistry and toxicological profiles of Aloe vera and Aloe ferox. Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 7, pp.1-21.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s43094-021-00296-2
▪ Elamin, O.H.S., Ali, M.A., Elgezuli, I.A.A., Bashir, M.A. and Kahwa, I., 2021. Diagnosis of pre-and post-treatment of echinococcus granulosus with counter current immune electrophoresis and bacterial co-agglutination. Journal of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 11(02), pp.88-94.
https://doi.org/10.5799/jmid.951600
Published book Chapter
▪ Kahwa, I., Ayesiga, I., Nakalema, S., Alinaiswe, R., Mbabazi, R. and Iqbal, S., 2023. Natural products in the management of onchocerciasis. In Natural Products in Vector-Borne Disease Management (pp. 63-80). Academic Press. Book Chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91942-5.00012-4
Submitted manuscripts Under Review:
▪ Comparison of the Wound Healing Activity of the Leaf and Leaf Ash Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina in Rats. Journal name: Clinical Phytoscience
▪ Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal plants used in the management of cancer in Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Herbal Medicine
▪ Ethnobotanical survey and phytochemical screening of medicinal plants used in treatment of epilepsy by PROMETRA-Uganda Traditional Health Practitioners in Mpigi District, Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Submitted book chapters under review
1.Book title: Algae as a Natural Solution for Water-Food-Energy Nexus, Section 4: Microalgae and cyanobacteria for food applications, Chapter 4.6: Safety, toxicological and allergenic aspects of using algae for food. Authors: Christine Kyarimpa, Tom Omute, Caroline K. Nakiguli, Alice V. Khanakwa4, Christopher Angiro, Ivan Kahwa, Fortunate Ahumuza, Timothy Omara*. Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 152 Beach Road, #21-01/04 Gateway East, Singapore 189721, Singapore.
2.Book title: Nutraceuticals Inspiring the Contemporary Therapy for Lifestyle Diseases. Chapter: Nutraceutical applications of Seaweeds and their Phytocompounds in Nutrition and Treatment of Diseases. Authors: Ivan Kahwa, Timothy Omara , Innocent Ayesiga , Gael Noel Neh Neba Ambe , Zehbanaz Javidbhai Panwala , Rachel Mbabazi , Shabnoor Iqbal , Christine Kyarimpa , Christine Betty Nagawa , Kamal Shah ,Nagendra Singh Chauhan* Publisher: CRC Press
You can view my works on the following professional sites:
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ivan-Kahwa
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tOwrvqoAAAAJ&hl=en
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6440-3437
Linkedin: https://de.linkedin.com/in/ivan-kahwa-865450159
In this article, we will discuss the sleeping position that may reduce the pain during a gallbladder attack. We will also discuss some useful tips and pharmacological interventions to improve sleep and avoid gallbladder pain.
What side to lay on during a gallbladder attack?
You should preferably lie on your left side and slightly pull your knees towards your head during a gallbladder attack. You should keep your head slightly elevated (using pillows) at all times. However, it is important to note that no scientific evidence confirms this theory.
If you go to bed immediately after eating, it may aggravate gallbladder pain after lying down. The gallbladder attack may last for many hours, till the gallstone has passed. This may disrupt your sleeping pattern, irrespective of the sleeping position.
If you had one gallbladder attack during the night, more attacks will likely follow. You should keep yourself calm, avoid talking too much, and let the body use its energy to pass out the gallbladder stone. Tilting and twisting may increase the pain.
What positions to avoid during a gallbladder attack?
Do not lie flat on your stomach as it may put pressure on your abdominal region. This may intensify the pain and other associated symptoms. Lying flat on your stomach also puts stress on your spine, stretching your spine out of natural alignment.
Sleeping on your right side may constrict your gallbladder. As the gallbladder and liver are both present on the right side, sleeping on the right side puts pressure on both organs due to body weight. This also increases the chance of acid reflux.
Avoid sleeping on your back with your legs bent at the knees as it may put pressure on your abdominal region and gallbladder. It may make it difficult for the gallstone to pass out, causing abdominal discomfort, and bloating.
Extreme twisting, turning, and restlessness during a gallbladder attack may make the pain worse. You should rest on your left side and may curl into a ball to help relieve extreme pain. Limited movements do not make the pain worse.
What are the symptoms of a gallbladder attack?
When gallstones become lodged in the duct, they impede the outflow of bile, causing the gallbladder to spasm. This may cause pain under the ribcage, similar to being cut by a knife. Other symptoms may include (1, 2):
- Excruciating pain,
- Abdominal pain after eating,
- Abdominal tenderness,
- Nausea,
- Vomiting,
- Appetite loss,
- Chills or fever,
- Pain in the left shoulder, and
- Diarrhea.
How to improve sleep after a gallbladder attack?
Apart from the sleeping position, sleep may be improved after a gallbladder attack by treating the underlying disease. Your gallbladder attacks may go away on their own without the need for major clinical intervention apart from pain relievers. In extreme cases, surgery is required.
Cholecystectomy
If you have severe pain during a gallbladder attack, your doctor may perform a cholecystectomy. In this procedure, the gallbladder is removed from the body, instead of treating the associated symptoms. This is especially important if your gallbladder has become infected.
An infected gallbladder may tear due to gallstones or leak the infected content in the body. An early cholecystectomy enhances recovery, reduces pain, and eventually improves your sleep. Most people leave the hospital within one or two days of surgery (3).
Medications
If you can bear the gallbladder attack, your doctor may give you some medication to lessen the severity of symptoms so you may sleep better. Some medications given for symptomatic treatment of gallbladder attack include:
- Resveratrol: It relaxes the gallbladder muscle strips by reducing the intracellular calcium, and regulating the potassium channels (2).
- Pain killers: Acute gallbladder attack pain can be managed with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen.
However, in the case of chronic pain opioids like morphine, meperidine, and tramadol are often prescribed. Tramadol causes headaches in the first few days of starting the therapy. The side effects go away in a week or two.
- Curcumin: Curcumin is known to prevent the formation of gallbladder stones by acting as a cholecystokinin agent (facilitating the pumping of the gallbladder) (4).
- Antibiotics: If the gallbladder becomes infected due to gallbladder stones, ampicillin/sulbactam, or piperacillin/tazobactum is prescribed. In more serious conditions meropenum is prescribed.
- Supplements: Magnesium supplements are useful to help relieve gallbladder pain and spasms. It also helps to relieve gallbladder emptying (5).
One of my collegue used to have severe gallbladder attacks. The symptoms would flare up anytime during the day and night, dsrupting her quality of life and sleeping pattern. She eventually decided to get her gallbladder removed.
However, the complications did not subside after the surgery. It is important to discuss with your doctor about the pros and cons of pharmacological interventions vs sugery. You are better judge of your condition, but removing an organ from body may induce other complications.
It is important that you maintain a good and healthy diet. Avoid greasy, processed, and high fat and high carb food. Cholesterol is known to facilitate gallstone formation. Try consuming high fibre food like vegetables, fruits, and wheat products.
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References
1.-
Portincasa P, Moschetta A, Petruzzelli M, Palasciano G, Di Ciaula A, Pezzolla A. Symptoms and diagnosis of gallbladder stones. Best Practice & Research Clinical Gastroenterology. 2006 Jan 1;20(6):1017-29. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1521691806000552
2.-
Tsai CC, Lee MC, Tey SL, Liu CW, Huang SC. Mechanism of resveratrol-induced relaxation in the human gallbladder. BMC complementary and alternative medicine. 2017 Dec;17(1):1-7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5422932/
3.-
Comitalo JB. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and newer techniques of gallbladder removal. JSLS: Journal of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons. 2012 Jul;16(3):406. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3535814/
4.-
Rasyid, Lelo. The effect of curcumin and placebo on human gall‐bladder function: an ultrasound study. Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics. 1999 Feb;13(2):245-9. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1046/j.1365-2036.1999.00464.x
5.-
Lee MH, Gao YT, Huang YH, McGee EE, Lam T, Wang B, Shen MC, Rashid A, Pfeiffer RM, Hsing AW, Koshiol J. A metallomic approach to assess associations of serum metal levels with gallstones and gallbladder cancer. Hepatology. 2020 Mar;71(3):917-28. https://aasldpubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/hep.30861
