The gallbladder is a pear-shaped pouch that sits just below the liver. It collects bile, a fluid made to help with digestion, as it flows from the liver to the intestine through the bile ducts.
Gallstones are deposits of digestive fluid made of solidified substances found in bile, like cholesterol. They are common and may or may not produce symptoms. 

 

HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT FOR GALLSTONES

Homoeopathy is a system of medicine that uses natural substances to stimulate the body’s healing response. Homoeopathy is very effective in treating small sized gallbladder stones by reducing its size and dissolving the stones. Homoeopathic medicines are effective in alleviating pain as well as chronic inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis).

In cases of larger stones, multiple and impacted stones; homoeopathy has limited role to play and thus may need surgical intervention.

Homoeopathy also helps as preventive medicine in stone formation; preventing further stone production activity in the body. The best remedy for the patient is prescribed after taking note of the gall stone symptoms in each individual.

KNOW YOUR DISEASE

Gallstones are hardened deposits of bile that can form in your gallbladder. Bile is a digestive fluid produced in your liver and stored in your gallbladder. When you eat, your gallbladder contracts and empties bile into your small intestine (duodenum).

Gallstones range in size from as small as a grain of sand to as large as a golf ball. Some people develop just one gallstone, while others develop many gallstones at the same time.

SYMPTOMS OF GALLSTONES

Gallstones may cause no signs or symptoms. If a gallstone lodges in a duct and causes a blockage, the resulting signs and symptoms may include.

• Sudden and rapidly intensifying pain in the upper right portion of your abdomen
• Sudden and rapidly intensifying pain in the center of your abdomen, just below your breastbone
• Back pain between your shoulder blades
• Pain in your right shoulder
• Nausea or vomiting

Gallstone pain may last several minutes to a few hours.

CAUSES OF GALLSTONES

It's not clear what causes gallstones to form. Doctors think gallstones may result when.

• Your bile contains too much cholesterol. Normally, your bile contains enough chemicals to dissolve the cholesterol excreted by your liver. But if your liver excretes more cholesterol than your bile can dissolve, the excess cholesterol may form into crystals and eventually into stones.
• Your bile contains too much bilirubin. Bilirubin is a chemical that's produced when your body breaks down red blood cells. Certain conditions cause your liver to make too much bilirubin, including liver cirrhosis, biliary tract infections and certain blood disorders. The excess bilirubin contributes to gallstone formation.
• Your gallbladder doesn't empty correctly. If your gallbladder doesn't empty completely or often enough, bile may become very concentrated, contributing to the formation of gallstones.

TYPES OF GALLSTONES

Types of gallstones that can form in the gallbladder include.

• Cholesterol gallstones. The most common type of gallstone, called a cholesterol gallstone, often appears yellow in colour. These gallstones are composed mainly of undissolved cholesterol, but may contain other components.
• Pigment gallstones. These dark brown or black stones form when your bile contains too much bilirubin.

COMPLICATIONS OF GALLSTONES may include.

• Inflammation of the gallbladder. A gallstone that becomes lodged in the neck of the gallbladder can cause inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis). Cholecystitis can cause severe pain and fever.
• Blockage of the common bile duct. Gallstones can block the tubes (ducts) through which bile flows from your gallbladder or liver to your small intestine. Severe pain, jaundice and bile duct infection can result.
• Blockage of the pancreatic duct. The pancreatic duct is a tube that runs from the pancreas and connects to the common bile duct just before entering the duodenum. Pancreatic juices, which aid in digestion, flow through the pancreatic duct.

A gallstone can cause a blockage in the pancreatic duct, which can lead to inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Pancreatitis causes intense, constant abdominal pain and usually requires hospitalization.

Gallbladder cancer.  People with a history of gallstones have an increased risk of gallbladder cancer. But gallbladder cancer is very rare, so even though the risk of cancer is elevated, the likelihood of gallbladder cancer is still very small.

DIAGNOSIS OF GALLSTONES

Your doctor will perform a physical examination that includes checking your eyes and skin for visible changes in colour. A yellowish tint may be a sign of jaundice, the result of too much bilirubin in your body.

The exam may involve using diagnostic tests that help your doctor see inside your body. These tests include:

• Ultrasound. An ultrasound produces images of your abdomen. It’s the preferred imaging method to confirm that you have gallstone disease. It can also show abnormalities associated with acute cholecystitis.
• Abdominal CT scan. This imaging test takes pictures of your liver and abdominal region.
• Blood tests. Your doctor may order blood tests that measure the amount of bilirubin in your blood. The tests also help determine how well your liver is functioning.

DIET AND FOODS TO EAT IN MODERATION

To help improve your condition and reduce your risk of gallstones, try these tips.

• Eat fewer refined carbs (like cookies and white bread) and less sugar.
• Increase your intake of healthy fats, like fish oil and olive oil, which may help your gallbladder contract and empty on a regular basis.
• Eat the proper amount of fiber per day. Get some sort of physical activity every day.
• Keep yourself properly hydrated.

If you plan to lose weight, do it slowly. Rapid weight loss may increase your risk of gallstones and other health problems.

PREVENTION OF GALLSTONES

While there is no medical documented way to completely prevent gallstones, cholesterol seems to play a major role in their formation. If you have a family history of gallstones, your doctor may advise you to limit foods with a high saturated fat content. Some of these foods include:

• fatty meat, like sausage and bacon
• cakes and cookies
• lard and cream
• certain cheeses

Because people living with obesity are more predisposed to gallstones, keeping your weight within a moderate range is another way to limit the possibility of their formation.

AN OUTLOOK ON GALLSTONES - BY DR. SMRITI’S HOMOEOPATHIC HEALING

Gallstones are common, and most people will never be bothered by them. If they stay put in your gallbladder, you’ll probably never know they’re there. But once they begin to move, they become dangerous. These tiny, pebble-like pieces can do a lot of damage when they get into the tight spaces of your delicate biliary system.
A gallbladder attack can be intense and scary, especially if you didn’t know you had gallstones to begin with. Homoeopathic treatment is strongly recommended in cases of small sized stones to ease the pain and dissolving them. Homoeopathy also prevents further production of the stone in the body. For large or impacted stones, homoeopathy has limited role to play and thus you may need surgical intervention. Homoeopathic medicines are chosen after proper case taking and are based on the basis of principle of individualisation, thus always take medicines after consulting the homoeopathic doctor.