(also referred to as...) Cholelithiasis, Choledocholithiasis, Gallbladder Attack,
Gallstone, Gallstone Attack, Silent Gallstone
Description The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located below the liver. It stores a greenish-yellow digestive fluid called bile that is produced by the liver. Bile contains bile salts, bilirubin (a waste product comprised of the remains of old blood cells), cholesterol, electrolytes, and other fats. Bile promotes the proper absorption of cholesterol, fats, and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K). The bile salts also promote the secretion of water and other salts from the large intestine, leading to effective waste elimination. Finally, bile carries the breakdown products of some drugs and waste products processed by the liver. The process of digestion cues the gallbladder into secreting stored bile into the small intestine. The fluid travels from the gallbladder, through the cystic duct, into the bile duct, and then into the small intestine where it mixes with food and helps promote proper digestion. A gallstone may form from the crystallization of excess cholesterol that combines with bile salts and other components of your bile. They range from as small as a pinhead to as large as a golf ball. Problems occur when the stone travels from the gallbladder into either the cystic or bile duct or the stone remains in the gallbladder and amasses to a larger size. When gallstones are located in the gallbladder, the condition is referred to as Cholelithiasis. When they are located in the bile ducts, the condition is referred to as Choledocholithiasis. Gallstones affect approximately 20% of women and 8% of men over forty years of age.
Symptoms and Signs: Symptoms of gallstones include sudden, intense pain typically in the upper right abdomen or near the shoulder blades, fever, nausea, and vomiting. This series of symptoms is often referred to as a gallbladder or gallstone attack and can last from 30 to 240 minutes -- as long as it takes the stone to drop back into the gallbladder. Once the attack has passed, soreness may be present for one day or two. It is also quite possible for a person with a gallstone to experience no symptoms if the stone does not move from the gallbladder (referred to as a "silent" gallstone). Blood tests (showing abnormal liver function) and an x-ray using a radiopaque contrast substance (revealing the outline of the stone) can also determine the presence of gallstones.
Causes: As previously mentioned, gallstones form as a result of the crystallization of cholesterol that combines with other bile compounds, forming lumps inside the gallbladder. Additional risk factors for developing gallstones include high cholesterol levels, high insulin levels, a Western diet, and being overweight. Gallstones also tend to run in families (genetic predisposition).
What to Expect: As previously mentioned, gallstone attacks may occur once the stone starts to travel from the gallbladder into either the cystic duct or bile duct. Symptoms often occur after eating fried or fatty foods. NOTE: If the stone does not drop back and blocks the flow of bile, serious damage may occur to your liver, pancreas, or gallbladder. You must seek immediate medical attention if a gallbladder attack persists and/or your skin and the whites of your eyes turn yellow.
Remedies
Conventional Approaches The most common Allopathic approach to dealing with gallstones is removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy). In some cases, particularly for larger stones, this is the only viable alternative as significant consequences may occur if the stone is left in the body. However, gallbladder removal may cause additional digestive problems as your body on longer has a mechanism for concentrating bile to be used towards the digestion of food. Digestive supplements are often recommended for those people who have had their gallbladder removed. One additional approach is laparoscopic cholecystectomy, introduced in 1990. This less invasive surgical technique involves the insertion of a small viewing instrument and tools through one or more incisions in the abdominal wall, usually at the umbilicus. This procedure helps determine the size of a gallstone and its potential to cause problems. It is also used to remove the gallbladder through tubes. Every year in the United States, more than 500,000 people have their gallbladder surgically removed due to associated problems. Sound waves (lithotripsy), drugs, and bile acid preparations also work to varying effectiveness.
Foods Mix 3 tablespoons olive oil with the juice of one lemon. Take before bed. Prepare the same mixture upon wakening. This generations old remedy often proves effective in passing stones and eliminating them via stool. A diet high in fibre helps prevent gallstones. Lignin, in particular, binds with bile acids and helps reduce cholesterol, making it quite effective in preventing gallstone formation. This fat is found in fatty fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts. Increase your water intake. Water helps flush the liver and also dilutes bile secretions. Drink at least eight 8oz glasses of water daily. If you are not accustomed to drinking this quantity of water, start with four glasses daily and work your way up to eight over the course of a week.
Herbs Dandelion promotes bile flow and releases stored bile (referred to as a cholagogue effect), reduces bile-duct inflammation and gallstone formation and generally strengthens the gallbladder. To prepare a decoction, gently boil 2 to 3 teaspoons powdered root per cup of water for 15 minutes. Let cool. Drink up to 3 cups daily. NOTE: Dandelion can cause a sudden, unwanted, contraction of the gallbladder. This can result in an acute attack or, at worst, lodging of the stone in the duct. It is important to consult with your naturopath or other health practitioner if choosing to use this herb to deal with gallstones. The silymarin in milk thistle seeds increases bile solubility, helping prevent gallstone formation and also eliminate any stones that may have formed. Milk thistle is also an excellent liver tonic. Seeds must be taken in an extract form or eaten, as silymarin is not water soluble. Take 2 tablespoons ground powder daily, sprinkled on food. If supplementing, take 280 to 600mg daily for acute situations or when treating specific ailments. You may also use lower dosages as a preventative to maintain liver health. If using in tincture form, take 20 to 30 drops 3 times daily. Peppermint oil helps reduce bile cholesterol levels and increases bile acid and lecithin levels in the biliary system. As a result, peppermint is ideal for dealing with gallbladder situations. In addition, peppermint oil helps relieve chronic burping often associated with gallbladder situations. To prepare an infusion, add 1 to 2 teaspoons dried herb to one cup boiling water. Take up to 3 times daily. Spearmint tea may also be used in the same fashion as peppermint, above, to produce similar effects. Turmeric contains curcumin, which works in the same fashion as the silymarin in milk thistle, mentioned above. As a result, turmeric has also proven to be effective in preventing and treating gallstones. Take 4 tablespoons of powder daily either in food or mixed into water or other liquid. To prepare an infusion, use 1 teaspoon powder per cup of warm milk. Drink up to 3 cups daily.
Lifestyle Avoid fried or fatty foods that can increase cholesterol levels and also promote gallstone attacks.
Miscellaneous Use hot castor oil packs to help relieve pain in the gallbladder area. Place the oil in a pan and heat, but do not boil it. Fully dip a cheesecloth or other white or unbleached cotton cloth into the oil. Apply the cloth to the gallbladder area and cover with a larger, thicker cloth or piece of plastic. Keep the pack warm by placing a heating pad over the larger cloth or plastic. Leave the pack on the area for thirty minutes to two hours.
Therapies, Healing Aids, and More Juicing provides your body with an abundance of readily available vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and other nutrients. In addition, specific fruits and vegetables can promote proper gallbladder function. Green leafy vegetables such as spinach and parsley are rich in naturally cleansing chlorophyll, which supports the gallbladder. Green juices also help prevent a recurrence in those people who have had gallstones. Combine greens with carrots (and dilute in equal parts water) for a tasty drink! Apples, beets, and pears also promote gallbladder function. Juice them separately, however, as fruits and vegetables are typically not combined when juicing. A hydrotherapy fomentation application will help relieve the pain associated with a gallbladder attack. This is usually a repeated local application of moist heat by a hot compress of wool or other material. Keep the fomentation on for 3 to 10 minutes and replace it 2 to 3 times in one session. The hot compress delivers heat to the area applied, helps relax tissue, and decreases pain or spasms. This hydrotherapy approach is similar in function to the castor oil pack outlined under Miscellaneous, above. A low-fat, low-cholesterol, high-fibre, vegetarian diet helps reduce the likelihood of developing gallstones.
Actions and Remedy Listings
See also High Cholesterol, Obesity
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