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Looking for ways to avoid getting gout? Find out which foods to avoid for gout triggers and how to control gout flare-ups.

If you have severe pain in your joints, you may have an arthritic condition known as gout. Flare-ups happen when there is excess uric acid in the blood and can happen unpredictably and with varying frequency.

Usually, the body will dissolve uric acid and remove it via your kidneys and urination. However, this doesn’t happen during gout flare-ups. Instead, eating certain foods can cause excess uric acid to build up and crystalize in your joints.

To avoid these issues, it’s best that people prone to gout avoid or limit certain foods. Keep reading to learn about the different foods that trigger gout and how to prevent flares.

1. Red Meat

Certain meats are high in purine, which gets broken down into uric acid. However, too much purine can cause excess uric acid, which gets into the bloodstream and causes gout flare-ups. White meat has lower levels of purine, which is why people prone to gout should limit or avoid red meat.

Furthermore, lamb is the most problematic for gout among the red meats. Other meats that you should limit include beef and pork. If you do end up eating these meats, limit them to three times per week max. Also, if you still eat lamb, then choose lamb chops over the leg meat.

2. Fish

If you have gout, you need to avoid certain fish as they can contain high amounts of purine. These problematic fish include tuna, sardines, herring, mackerel, and anchovies.

However, just because you’re affected by gout doesn’t mean you have to stop eating fish altogether. For instance, you can safely eat salmon in moderation, which contains low levels of purine. If you have gout, make sure you don’t eat fish more than twice per week.

3. Wild Game

Wild game meat includes venison, rabbit, pheasant, quail, and goose. People with gout should avoid these types of meat for the same reason they should avoid beef, pork, and lamb: they’re rich in purine.

By eating wild game meat, you increase your risk of having a gout attack. Instead, stick to white meat, which is generally safe to eat in moderation, especially if you pair it with vegetables.

4. Scallops

If you have gout, then seafood is not your friend. For example, scallops, shellfish, codfish, trout, and haddock are high in purine. However, there is certain seafood that is generally safe to eat.

Some better seafood options for people with gout include lobster, shrimp, and crab. To be safe, your total amount of seafood intake per day should be 6 to 8 oz. per day maximum. Also, you may be able to eat scallops occasionally but should definitely avoid them if you start experiencing flare-ups.

5. Organ Meats

While some recent studies suggest that organ meats may be helpful for overall health wellness, this doesn’t apply to everyone. In fact, people with gout should avoid eating organ meats. These include liver, kidneys, tongue, brains, and sweetbreads.

6. Beer

When you drink beer, the body breaks it down and causes a spike in uric acid levels, which isn’t good if you have gout. Moreover, since beer dehydrates the body, it slows down the elimination of uric acid. While an occasional glass of wine may be okay, you should avoid alcohol altogether if you want to be safe.

7. Sweet Beverages

Because of their high-fructose corn syrup content, sugary drinks can increase the risk of gout attacks by stimulating uric acid production. If you have a sweet tooth, it’s best to choose herbal teas and fresh-squeezed juices over packaged sodas and fruit drinks. Also, if you’re trying to prevent a gout attack, it’s best that you avoid all foods with high-fructose corn syrup.

8. Vegetables

Having a diet that emphasizes vegetables is great for individuals with gout. However, there are some vegetables that are rich in purine and you should avoid them. These include mushrooms, spinach, asparagus, peas, and cauliflower.

While these vegetables are not as problematic as other foods, it’s still a good idea to limit their intake. Other veggies to avoid include dried fava and garbanzo beans.

9. Fruits

Just like sugary fructose drinks, some fruits can increase your uric acid production. Some fruits to avoid if you have gout include prunes, dates, plums, lychees, and pears.

Like with high-purine vegetables, you may be able to consume these fruits in moderation. However, you would have to avoid other high-purine and high-fructose foods on the same day and avoid them if you experience any flare-ups.

10. Dairy Products

While there is conflicting evidence when it comes to dairy products and gout attacks, it seems that most studies suggest that eating more yogurt, cheese, and ice cream decreases the risk of gout. On the other hand, if you consume an excess of high-fat dairy products, you can experience a variety of issues and flare-ups.

Preventing Gout Flare-ups

If you want to prevent gout flare-ups, there are other things you can do in addition to limiting certain foods. For example, you can lose weight, since having excess body fat increases your risk of gout.

When you’re overweight or obese, your body’s ability to eliminate uric acid decreases. This happens as a result of the visceral fat that wraps around the organs. Furthermore, visceral fat releases certain chemicals that promote systemic inflammation.

In addition, visceral fat can lead to related metabolic diseases like insulin resistance. Therefore, if you lose weight, you can lose visceral fat and reduce your risk for inflammation and gout attacks.

Eat Complex Carbohydrates

Another thing you can do to prevent flare-ups is to eat certain complex carbohydrates. For instance, eating fruits, whole grains, and vegetables is a great way to manage gout due to their slow digestion process.

Stay Hydrated

One of the most accessible options for managing gout is to stay hydrated. By drinking water, you can dilute the uric acid levels in the blood. Moreover, you can remove more uric acid if you drink more water, which decreases the risk of urate crystals in the joints.

Consume Healthy Fats

Certain healthy fats such as omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids can help decrease the number of recurring flare-ups. While gout medications can help manage the disease, sometimes they don’t lower the recurring attacks.

However, foods with healthy fats such as cold-water fish (salmon) can help lower the instances of recurring gout attacks. In fact, omega-3 fatty acids are effective anti-inflammatories that also help manage other arthritis conditions.

Emphasize Lean Protein Intake

Purine increases uric acid, which triggers gout flare-ups. Therefore, if you want to effectively manage gout, you need to consume proteins that are low in purine. This means you need to avoid shellfish, beef, and organ meat with high purine levels.

Instead, you should consume safer choices like eggs, nuts, seeds, and tofu. You can also decrease your risk of gout attacks by integrating low-fat milk, cheese, and yogurt into your diet.

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Arthritic pain is no fun, but there are things you can do to prevent flare-ups. By avoiding the foods mentioned here and following these guidelines, you’ll be able to boost your health if you’re prone to gout attacks. Take care of your joints by enjoying the right kinds of food and avoiding the wrong kind.

How do you know if you’re having a gallbladder attack? Learn how to recognize the onset of a gallbladder attack by knowing the symptoms mentioned below.

Under your liver is a pear-shaped sac called the gallbladder. Its function is to store bile, which helps with fat digestion. If there is an infection or blockage in either a bile duct or tube that leads out of the gallbladder, you can experience painful inflammation. 

As a result, hard deposits of calcium, cholesterol, and bilirubin can form in the cystic duct. The cystic duct is the bile tube connecting the gallbladder to the common bile duct that carries your bile to your small intestine.

These deposits, called gallstones, can cause pain during a gallbladder attack. Typically, gallstones don’t cause symptoms, but they can block the cystic duct or cause inflammation in certain cases.

In addition, bile can also cause similar symptoms if it gets clogged within the gallbladder or ducts. Keep in mind that you can experience gallbladder inflammation even without the presence of gallstones.

If you experience sudden and severe pain as a result of a gallbladder attack, you may need immediate hospitalization. Keep reading to find out the symptoms of a gallbladder attack so you can recognize them.

Common Symptoms of a Gallbladder Attack

1. Abdominal Pain

If you have severe abdominal pain, it may be a sign that you’re having a gallbladder attack. Pay attention to where the pain is coming from: if it’s an intensifying pain located in the upper portion of the abdomen and below the breastbone (usually the right side), then it might be a gallbladder attack.

The pain can last anywhere between 1 to 5 hours and is remains regardless of whether you urinate or pass gas. One of the triggers is eating fatty foods, which can cause pain at any time, day or night. However, the episodes may be infrequent, which means if you have one painful attack, it could be months before you experience another. To test if blockages are causing it, talk to your doctor about getting a blood test to check for increased liver enzymes.

2. Indigestion

Gallstones can cause indigestion by reducing the quantity of bile that enters the digestive tract. Therefore, if you have gas and indigestion after eating, then it can be a sign of a gallbladder attack.

In addition, you can experience biliary pain around the rib cage, your shoulder, and your upper back. However, keep in mind that it’s usually difficult to differentiate between this gallbladder attack symptom and heartburn. If you experience biliary pain, get evaluated by your healthcare provider immediately.

3. Vomiting

If you experience nausea and vomiting, it could be an early sign of a gallbladder attack. Moreover, individuals with gallbladder disease may feel like vomiting after eating meals. Vomiting can help get rid of gas pressure and stomach discomfort, providing some relief.

Furthermore, nausea will generally happen after eating large, fatty meals, at nighttime, and may be accompanied by a mild fever. Certain sleeping positions may put pressure on the affected area, causing nausea at night.

4. Loss of Appetite

Another common symptom in patients with gallbladder disease is a loss of interest in food. This appetite loss is a result of the aggravation caused by biliary pain. Patients will generally avoid food that causes discomfort and nausea.

Moreover, if the infection gets worse, it can block the bile duct and make digestion a painful process. If you experience a loss of appetite due to indigestion, talk to a healthcare provider.

5. Urine Changes

Pay attention to your urine: if there are changes in frequency, consistency, color, or volume, you may have a gallbladder infection. For instance, the bile pigment in gallstones can turn your urine dark brown-yellow. 

Urine discoloration is one of the first signs of gallbladder disease and usually means there’s a blockage of the common bile duct. However, if you’re passing blood-colored urine, it may not be gallbladder disease. Instead, you may have a problem with your kidneys or bladder, which you should still get checked out.

6. Stool Changes

In addition to urine changes, people with gallbladder disease can also experience a change in their stool color and consistency. Gallbladder disease may cause your stool to appear yellow or clay-colored due to excess fats in the stool.

Moreover, the consistency changes, making your stools looser. If you have an explosive bowel movement that smells foul, you may have a gallbladder infection.

7. Fever

Gallbladder and bile duct infections may cause unexplained fever and chills in about one-third to one-half of patients. While gallbladder attacks may cause biliary colics, this symptom is not a byproduct of typical colics.

Instead, it happens as a result of a stone blocking the duct leading out of the organ, which causes an inflammation called cholecystitis. If you experience nausea, vomiting, and a fever, it’s time to seek immediate medical attention. The combination of all three symptoms can be life-threatening and cause perforation of the gallbladder.

8. Chest Pain

Since chest pain is a common symptom in both a gallbladder attack and a heart attack, it’s easy to mistake to confuse the two. One way to tell them apart is to notice when the chest pain occurs. For instance, if you experience pain after eating a rich meal, it usually means you have gallbladder disease.

Inflammation or blockage of the bile duct is what causes chest pain and even heartburn in gallbladder disease. To minimize the pain and heartburn, don’t lie down after eating. However, if you have to lie down, place a wedge-shaped pillow under your neck, chest, and upper abdomen to reduce the backward flow of acid from the stomach.

9. Jaundice

Gallbladder disease can lead to jaundice, a yellowing of the skin. This can happen due to biliary fluids getting clogged in the gallbladder or liver. As a result, bilirubin gets released into the bloodstream and causes jaundice.

In addition to affecting the color of your skin, jaundice can also affect your eyes and urine, turning the whites of your eyes yellow and your urine darker. Talk to your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.

10. Diarrhea

Finally, gallbladder attacks can cause explosive bowel movements and abdominal pain. The pain generally affects the entire abdominal region and may be infrequent. Some people can also feel a stabbing pain in their lower back, belly, or breastbone. Furthermore, if you notice any changes in your bowel movements regarding frequency, color, or consistency, then it’s time to talk to your doctor.

Common Risk Factors

In addition to recognizing gallbladder attack symptoms, it’s important to know what triggers these attacks. The following is an overview of some of the most common risk factors for gallbladder attacks.

Risk Factor #1: Foods

If you want to avoid a gallbladder attack, then it’s important that you avoid certain foods. These foods include those high in calories, animal protein and cholesterol, and refined carbohydrates. Instead, eat foods that are rich in dietary fiber, which can lower the risk of gallstone disease. Moreover, studies show that following a Mediterranean diet can significantly reduce the need to remove a gallbladder.

Risk Factor #2: Oral Estrogens

A 2005 study available in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that oral estrogens can lead to gallbladder disease. The increased risk is a result of higher cholesterol saturation in the bile, leading to gallstone formation. According to researchers, this can affect both men and women undergoing estrogen therapy. It can also affect women who use oral contraceptives.

Risk Factor #3: Obesity

Research shows that too much weight increases cholesterol in bile, causing gallstone formation. In addition, individuals with obesity tend to have enlarged gallbladders that don’t function effectively.

However, rapid weight loss isn’t the answer. In fact, by quickly losing weight, you can cause your liver to release more cholesterol and affect how your gallbladder empties. Other extreme forms of weight loss like surgeries and weight cycling (or yo-yo dieting) can also increase the risk of a gallstone attack. Instead, aim to lose 5% to 10% of your starting weight over a six-month period if you want to lower the risk of gallstone problems.

Risk Factor #4: Family History

Genetics may play a part in gallstone attacks, as studies suggest that the risk is higher in some people due to a gene mutation that’s responsible for the flow of cholesterol from the liver to the bile duct. Another factor that may be at play is protein defects, as this can cause people to be more susceptible to gallstones.

Some studies suggest that ethnicity also plays a role, as the rate of gallstone attacks is higher in Hispanic populations from Central and South America as well as Native Americans when compared to other racial groups. According to researchers, this may be due to a combination of genetic and dietary factors.

Risk Factor #5: Diabetes

According to mounting evidence, individuals with diabetes are at greater risk of developing gallbladder attacks and disease. Since people with diabetes are more likely to be overweight or obese, then it means they have elevated triglycerides that encourage gallstones.

Furthermore, endocrinologists believe that nerve damage associated with diabetes can prevent the gallbladder from efficiently releasing bile. Nevertheless, those with diabetes can lower their risk by managing their diabetes through lifestyle changes. Additionally, this can help with weight management and strengthen the digestive and nervous systems, which helps protect the body against gallstone development.

Worried about kidney infection? Find out what the different kidney infection signs and symptoms look like by reading below.

If you have a bladder function, you may experience a kidney infection shortly afterward. A kidney infection (pyelonephritis) happens as a result of bacteria making its way into the kidneys.

Fortunately, acute kidney infections are not as common as other types of urinary tract infections (UTIs). However, it’s a good idea to be aware of the signs and symptoms of a kidney infection. 

The symptoms are usually similar to those of appendicitis and pelvic inflammatory diseases. Keep reading to learn about the different kidney infection signs and symptoms.

1. Abnormal Urine

Since kidneys make urine, a change in your usual urination patterns can be a significant sign of a kidney infection. The purpose of urination is to remove waste and extra water from the body. If you have a kidney infection, changes to this process, such as consistency and frequency, will generally be visible in the excretion.

For example, some individuals may feel an overwhelming and persistent need to urinate – especially at night. In addition, your urine may look darker, foamy, or bubbly, and may have a bad smell. You may also feel pressure or discomfort as you urinate and may notice blood or pus in your urine.

2. Inflammation

If your kidneys can’t get rid of urine and other waste, you can experience swelling and kidney damage as the waste builds up. Since excess salts and water accumulate, it can cause edema (swelling) in your ankles, hands, and feet; this is especially noticeable in the morning. Some people may also experience puffiness in the face.

3. Nausea

As the body tries to get rid of toxins, it will increase urination, which can lead to dehydration. In turn, dehydration can result in mild nausea and vomiting. Nausea can then lead to a host of other effects such as loss of appetite, weight loss, and constant pain or pressure in the abdominal region. Additionally, prescription antibiotics meant to treat kidney infections may also cause mild nausea and vomiting.

4. Fatigue

Excessive fatigue is common among people with kidney infections. This can happen due to two factors: the body’s need for rest and recovery or as a result of anemia.

When kidney infections go untreated, they can cause chronic kidney damage, which lowers erythropoietin production. Erythropoietin is a hormone that signals red blood cell production. As a result of lower erythropoietin levels, red blood cell count decreases and you experience anemia and less oxygen in the body.

5. Skin Irritation

Kidney infections can also lead to skin irritation and rashes. While many people may dismiss a rash as a symptom of something less severe like allergies, it may also be a sign of kidney infections and kidney failure.

Furthermore, due to the excess buildup of waste in the body, you may also experience itching that makes the rash worse.

6. Fever

Due to the infection, you can expect your body temperature to increase above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This fever can also be accompanied by shivering or chills.

Keep in mind that anemia may also lead to increased body temperature, although, this is generally considered a low-grade fever. In contrast, infections can cause moderate to high fever, chills, back pain, and side pain.

7. Side Pain

If you’re feeling pressure or dull, throbbing pain between your hips and ribs, you may have a kidney infection. Usually, the discomfort and pain are felt around the affected kidney or in the abdomen or back.

If you have a kidney infection, you’ll generally experience the pain intermittently whenever you’re standing, sitting, or bending. The pain usually affects one side of the body.

8. Smelly Breath

While bad breath can be a result of many factors, it can also be caused by dehydration or nausea and vomiting related to a kidney infection. Furthermore, some people may experience bad breath as a result of their antibiotic treatment.

When you’re taking antibiotics, they can cause a smelly breath, affect the taste of food, and leave a metallic taste in your mouth. As a result, you may have a loss of appetite and lose weight.

9. Breathing Issues

While kidney infections usually don’t cause breathing problems, you should get medical attention right away if you have trouble breathing. If you have breathing issues as a result of an infection, it can be a sign of kidney failure or sepsis, which means bacteria have entered your blood.

Kidney infections may lead to sepsis and kidney failure if left untreated. If you have an infection and can’t breathe properly, seek urgent medical care.

10. Dizziness

Finally, individuals with a kidney infection can feel tired, confused, dizzy, and have trouble concentrating. Since fever leads to dehydration, it can cause dizziness and lack of focus. However, your symptoms should alleviate once you start treatment.

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Since some of these symptoms may be related to other conditions, it’s important to consider them as a whole. If you experience two or more of these symptoms, it may be a sign that you have a kidney infection. Don’t try to diagnose yourself – if you have any of these symptoms, go see a doctor so they can give you a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Do you have to use the bathroom frequently? You may have a urinary tract infection. Here are 9 signs and symptoms of urinary tract infection.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect components of the urinary system, which include the bladder, kidneys, ureters, and urethra. While men can also experience the condition, it is more common in women. About half of all women will have at least one UTI during their lifetime.

Since female urethrae are shorter than male urethrae, the risk of harmful bacteria entering the body increases. However, UTIs are not necessarily severe, and uncomplicated cases can be treated with prescription medications. 

A doctor can help determine the severity of the condition by knowing the symptoms. If you experience any of the following, talk to a doctor to determine the best treatment method.

1. Burning Sensation

A burning sensation during urination is the most common sign of a UTI. To illustrate how it can happen, keep in mind that Escherichia coli (E.coli) resides in the bowels and can be transferred to the outer ureter either during sex or after wiping a bowel movement.

Once the bacteria reach the ureters, it infects them and causes inflammation. As a result, when urine passes through the ureters on its way out, you can feel a painful burning sensation. One way to avoid this is by wiping from front to back.

2. Frequent Urination

Because of the infection, individuals with UTIs are incapable of completely emptying their bowels. As a result, they tend to use the bathroom more frequently due to blockage or inflammation.

Having a strong urge to urinate more is a staple of UTIs as usually only a small amount of urine passes through the body. Moreover, due to the burning sensation, you’ll find it uncomfortable to urinate frequently.

3. Back Pain

Another common symptom people experience when they have a UTI is lower back pain that resembles muscular aches. If you’re experiencing back pain due to a urinary tract infection, it’s likely that over-the-counter relief medications won’t be of much help.

Instead, prescription medications for the infection can be more effective as lower back pain can be a sign that the infection has spread to the kidneys. Additionally, you may reduce some discomfort by resting, staying hydrated, and restricting your movement.

4. Urine Quality

UTIs can change your urine’s quality by reducing the output and giving it a cloudy look. Furthermore, your urine may contain visible pus or be darker due to blood, but these cases are rare.

However, if there is blood in your urine, it can be a sign of either a serious infection or another urinary tract disease. If you notice darker urine due to blood, seek urgent care, as this may be a sign of a severe infection that can lead to kidney damage.

5. Genital Pain

Some people with UTIs may experience a dull, persistent ache in the pelvis and genital area, even if they’re not urinating. Usually, the pain should subside once the treatment begins; if it doesn’t, tell your doctor so they can examine it further. While discomfort is typical, ongoing pain that doesn’t seem to have an identifiable source can be a sign that something is wrong.

6. Fever

Other symptoms of upper urinary tract infection include fever and chills, which can affect an accurate diagnosis due to their generic nature. For this reason, it’s important that you disclose all your symptoms so that your doctor can get a complete picture of your situation and give you the best treatment.

7. Nausea

If a UTI gets to the kidneys, you can expect nausea that leads to vomiting, whether you’ve eaten food or not. One way to prevent nausea from getting worse is to slowly eat bland foods. However, it’s likely that this will stop the nauseous feeling, which is why treatment is necessary.

8. Vomiting

As mentioned, some UTIs can lead to nausea and vomiting. However, if you’re still nauseous and vomiting after treatment, it can be concerning. In these cases, the infection may be more severe than initially thought, which means different medications are necessary.

9. Urinary Discharge

Many people with urinary tract infections have discharge that’s different from normal urethral secretions. Changes in appearance, texture, and color can affect both men and women.

While it’s unlikely that you’ll experience abnormal discharge after treatment, let your doctor know if it’s still happening. In these cases, it’s important to rule out other conditions like sexually transmitted infections and yeast infections.

Feeling fatigued? Losing your appetite? Afraid you may have pancreatic cancer? The following are 10 signs of pancreatic cancer that you need to know.

The pancreas is a small organ that’s surrounded by the gallbladder, stomach, liver, spleen, and small intestine. It is six inches long, has the form of a flattened pear, and helps with digestion and blood sugar regulation.

While rare, pancreatic cancer affects about 56,000 people in the U.S. every year. Like with other forms of cancer, methods such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are part of the treatment process. If you’re feeling some of the following symptoms, then check with your doctor so they can rule out pancreatic cancer – or diagnose it early to improve the prognosis.

1. Appetite Loss

While the loss of appetite is an early warning sign for various conditions, that doesn’t mean you should ignore it. Instead, pay attention to the details. Do you feel full after taking just a couple of bites? If so, and there’s no other explanation, it’s time to see a doctor.

2. Fatigue

Another symptom of pancreatic cancer is feeling extremely tired. However, if any part of the body is not functioning properly, other body parts compensate and leave you fatigued. Be aware of any other symptoms, as these coupled with fatigue can be a sign of a greater problem.

3. Abdominal Pain

You can experience abdominal pain as a result of an injury or even lying in bed the wrong way. If you’re wondering if it’s a sign of pancreatic cancer, then consider the specific area it’s covering. 

While it can affect any part of your abdominal region, it usually concentrates on the mid-portion of your abdomen. The pain may feel vague at first but will begin to get worse and even radiate to the back as the cancer progresses.

4. Bowel Movement Changes

One of the signs of pancreatic cancer is the blockage of digestive enzymes from reaching the intestines. As a result, you’ll find it difficult to digest foods that are high in fat, which leads to bowel movements that smell weird, are pale in color, and tend to float. Moreover, blood in your intestines can cause dark stools.

5. Weight Loss

Another effect of lacking enough pancreatic enzymes is the inability to properly digest the fat in the food you eat. Since the pancreas is not functioning effectively, it can lead to unexpected weight loss for many people with pancreatic cancer. Still, keep in mind that there are other ways you can lose weight unexpectedly.

6. Diabetes Symptoms

According to studies, a good amount of individuals with pancreatic cancer also had diabetes prior to showing visible signs of cancer. Moreover, if you’re over 50 and are experiencing new-onset diabetes symptoms, it may be an early sign of pancreatic cancer. While diabetes may not directly lead to pancreatic cancer, it is possible to have diabetes symptoms at the early cancer stages since the pancreas is in charge of making insulin.

7. Jaundice

Tumors can create blockages wherever they are. In the case of pancreatic tumors, any size of growth can block the head of the pancreas. As a result, your body can experience bile buildup and jaundice. 

In other words, if your skin starts turning yellow, it may be a sign of pancreatic cancer. The yellow tint can be hardly detectable or can be very distinctive. Jaundice can also cause yellowing in the eyes and nails.

8. Itchiness

Whether it’s light or severe, itchy skin can be an early sign of cancer in the pancreas. Pancreatic cancer can cause bile buildup, which then releases certain chemicals that lead to itchiness. 

Of course, there are multiple causes for itchy skin like switching laundry detergent, having an allergic reaction, or getting bit by a bug. However, you should definitely go see a doctor if the itchiness is chronic or if it becomes intense.

9. Enlarged Gallbladder

The bile buildup that leads to jaundice happens as a result of the bile duct becoming enlarged. In addition to enlarging your bile duct, pancreatic cancer can result in an enlarged gallbladder. In fact, many people seek medical advice only after they experience an enlarged gallbladder. 

To determine if you have this abnormality, doctors can order an imaging test or may even be able to identify it during a physical exam. Keep in mind that while you should always seek out medical advice if you have an enlarged gallbladder, the condition is not always a result of pancreatic cancer.

10. Taste Change

Pancreatic cancer can sometimes lead to changes in your tastebuds – especially the taste of tobacco and alcohol. For instance, lifelong smokers who have pancreatic cancer may suddenly find the taste and smell of cigarettes disgusting.

In addition, pancreatic cancer can affect the taste of food. While the reason for the symptom eludes researchers, this change in taste can also play a role in weight loss.

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Since some of these symptoms may be a result of another condition or circumstance, it’s important that you tell your doctor about all the symptoms you’re experiencing. Furthermore, if any of these signs become severe, you should seek medical advice even if it’s the only symptom you’re experiencing. Diagnosing pancreatic cancer early can improve your prognosis, so pay attention and seek help if you experience these symptoms.