AVOID RECURRENCE AND SURGERY WITH HOMOEOPATHY
–
NON SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF GALL STONE
The
gallbladder is a small little pouch that is shaped like a pear, and it is
located behind the liver. Its primary duty is to save the cholesterol-rich bile
that’s secreted from the liver. Bile helps the body digest fatty foods. Therefore,
when that bit of fatty steak reaches the intestines, they deliver a note to
send down some bile from the gallbladder. After this the fatty food becomes
easier to digest and readily makes its way through the remainder of the
digestive procedure.
Gallstones (also
known as cholelithiasis) are pieces
of solid material that form in the gallbladder. These stones develop because
cholesterol and pigments in bile sometimes form hard particles. Gallstones
usually form in the gallbladder; however, they also may form anywhere there is
bile; in the intrahepatic, hepatic, common bile, and cystic ducts. A gallstone is a crystalline concretion formed within the gallbladder by accretion of bile components. These calculi are
formed in the gallbladder but may distally pass into other parts of the biliary
tract such as the cystic
duct, common
bile duct, pancreatic
duct, or the ampulla
of Vater.
Rarely, in cases
of severe inflammation, gallstones may erode through the gallbladder into
adherent bowel potentially causing an obstruction termed gallstone
ileus. If gallstones migrate
into the ducts of the biliary tract, the condition is referred to as
choledocholithiasis. Choledocholithiasis is frequently associated with
obstruction of the biliary tree, which in turn can lead to acute ascending cholangitis, a serious infection of
the bile ducts. Gallstones within the ampulla of Vater can obstruct the exocrine system of the pancreas,
which in turn can result in pancreatitis.
Types
On
the basis of their composition, gallstones can be divided into the following
types:
Cholesterol stones
vary from light yellow to dark green or brown and are oval, between 2 and
3 cm long, each often having a tiny, dark, central spot. To be classified
as such, they must be at least 80% cholesterol by weight (or 70%, according to
the Japanese- classification system)
Pigment stones are small and dark and comprise bilirubin and calcium salts that
are found in bile. They contain less than 20% of cholesterol (or 30%, according
to the Japanese-classification system).
Mixed gallstones typically contain 20–80%
cholesterol (or 30–70%, according to the Japanese- classification system).[6] Other
common constituents are calcium
carbonate, palmitate phosphate, bilirubin, and other bile pigments. Because of their calcium
content, they are often radiographically visible.
Causes
Gallstone risk
increases for females (especially before menopause) and for people near or
above 40 years. Several factors may come together to create gallstones,
including: Genetics, Body weight, Decreased motility (movement) of the
gallbladder, Diet.
Gallstones can
form when there is an imbalance in the substances that make up bile. For
instance, cholesterol stones may develop as a result of too much cholesterol in
the bile. Another cause may be the inability of the gallbladder to empty
properly.
Pigment stones are
more common in people with certain medical conditions, such as cirrhosis (a
liver disease in which scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue) or blood
diseases such as sickle cell anemia.
Risk factors
for getting gallstones include:
- Genetics. If other people in your family have had gallstones, you are at increased risk of developing gallstones.
- Obesity. This is one of the biggest risk factors. Obesity can cause a rise in cholesterol and can also keep the gallbladder from emptying completely.
- Estrogen. Estrogen can increase cholesterol and reduce gallbladder motility. Women who are pregnant or who take birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy have higher levels of estrogen and may be more likely to develop gallstones.
- Ethnic background. Certain ethnic groups, including Native Americans and Mexican-Americans, are more likely to develop gallstones.
- Gender and age. Gallstones are more common among women and older people.
- Cholesterol drugs. Some cholesterol-lowering drugs increase the amount of cholesterol in bile, which may increase the chances of developing cholesterol stones.
- Diabetes. People with diabetes tend to have higher levels of triglycerides (a type of blood fat), which is a risk factor for gallstones.
- Rapid weight loss. If a person loses weight too quickly, his or her liver secretes extra cholesterol, which may lead to gallstones. Also, fasting may cause the gallbladder to contract less.
Diet causing
Gallstones
The
role of diet in the formation of gallstones is not clear. We do know that
anything that increases the level of cholesterol in the blood increases the
risk of gallstones. It is reasonable to assume that a diet with large
amounts of cholesterol and other fats increases the risk of gallstones, but it
is also important to remember that the amount of cholesterol in our bile has no
relationship to our blood cholesterol. Loosing weight rapidly seems to increase
the risk of gallstones and so does skipping meals. Obesity is a risk factor for
gallstones. Eating a fatty or greasy meal can precipitate the symptoms of
gallstones.
Clinical features
Most people with gallstones have no
symptoms called "silent gallstones". In fact, they are
usually unaware that they have gallstones unless symptoms occur.
Symptoms usually occur as
complications develop. The most common symptom is pain in the right upper part
of the abdomen. Because the pain comes in episodes, it is often referred to as
an "attack."
–
Attacks may occur every few days,
weeks, or months; they may even be separated by years.
–
The pain usually starts within 30
minutes after a fatty or greasy meal. The pain is usually severe, dull,
and constant, and can last from one to five hours. It may radiate to the
right shoulder or back.It occurs frequently at night and may awaken the person
from sleep.
–
The pain may make the person want to
move around to seek relief, but many patients prefer to lay still and wait for
the attack to subside.
–
Other common symptoms of gallstones
include nausea and
vomiting, fever,
indigestion, belching,
bloating, intolerance for fatty or greasy foods, and jaundice (yellowing
of the skin or the whites of the eyes).
–
Warning signs of a serious problem
are fever, jaundice, and persistent pain.
Diagnosis
There is no blood test that can identify gallstones.Ultrasound is
the best test to examine the gallbladder for stones. Ultrasound is usually the first choice because it is completely
noninvasive and involves no exposure to radiation.
An alternative to ultrasound is an
oral cholecystogram (OCG). An X-ray is
taken of the gallbladder after the patient swallow pills containing a safe,
temporary dye. The dye helps the gallbladder and gallstones show up better
on the X-ray.
Other tests are better choices if
gallstones have left the gallbladder and moved into the ducts like
Cholescintigraphy (HIDA scan), CT scan,
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
Management
Natural treatment
·
Lemon
Juice - Drink freshly squeezed lemons each
day on an empty stomach.It can help to remove the gallstones. The elimination
of the gallstones gets easier when you drink lots of water.
·
Mix the juice of beets, carrots and
cucumbers and drink it twice daily for 2 weeks.
·
Pour honey in 1 teaspoon of turmeric and
have it everyday until the gallstones go away.
·
Drink one teaspoon of apple cider
vinegar. Gallstone pain is relieved by this very quickly. Mix it with apple
juice if you can’t stand the taste.
·
Soluble fiber helps to control
metabolic rate and supports the elimination of cholesterol from our bodies. Eat
cereals and other grains that are high in fiber.
·
Obtaining lots of vitamin C to have
in your daily diet will assist you with the prevention of gallstones
·
There is a study that is discovering
that omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish like salmon, can help in the prevention
of gallstones.
·
Consuming vegetables is a great way
to keep gallstones away.
·
Having 1/2 a glass of wine each day
can help to keep gallstone attacks away. Researchers found that consuming 1/2 a
glass of wine can reduce the amount of gallstone attacks
Surgical
treatment
Gallstones are usually treated with surgery to take out the gallbladder.
The traditional operation is called an open cholecystectomy. A newer procedure,
called laparoscopic cholecystectomy, is less invasive, has fewer complications,
and is used more often.
- Laparscopiccholecystectomy. During this procedure, instruments, a light, and a camera are passed through several small incisions in the abdomen. The surgeon views the inside of the body by looking at a video monitor. This procedure is used in approximately 80% of gallbladder removals. After the surgery, the patient spends the night in the hospital.
- Open cholecystectomy. This is a more invasive procedure in which the surgeon makes incisions in the abdomen to remove the gallbladder. The patient stays in the hospital for a few days after the surgery.
HOMOEOPATHIC
MANAGEMENT
A constitutional remedy chosen by an experienced
Homoeopathic prescriber is the most appropriate way to treat deep-seated,
serious, or chronic conditions. Homoeopathic treatment involves detail history
taking by concentrating on general physical make up of person, diet, life
style, sedentary habits, physical build up, food eating habits, appetite,
stool, perspiration, body weight, present signs & symptoms, any treatment
history or drug history, bowel habits, disordered from particular foods, sleep
and temperament. Also his miasmatic background taken into consideration.
Remedies below have been helpful to some people with gallstones. Homoeopathy
helps in the disease by dissolving the stone through proper remedies. With
homoeopathic treatment one can
successfully control the pain as well as the swelling of gall bladder. It also
arrests further development of the gall bladder stones. To avoid recurrence of
gall stone Constitutional line of treatment must be given.
Chelidonium: It relieves Gall-stones colic
in a few minutes when there are shooting, stabbing pains extending to the back
and marked jaundice. It is indicated medicine for bilious complications during
gestation. It is useful for Gall stones, enlarged liver. There is constant pain
under inferior angle of right scapula. There is yellow complexion worse on nose
and cheek. Constipation with hard, round balls like sheep’s dung, alternation
of diarrhoea and constipation.
Cardus Marians: It is a very important
medicine for Gallstone disease with enlarged liver. There is Ailments from
abuse of alcoholic beverages, especially beer. There is pain in region of liver
extending to left shoulder, when lying on left side. There is pain under the
right scapula near edge of the spine. Left lobe of Liver is very sensitive. It acts
better in tincture should be given 10 drops of , Jaundice & Diabetes Mellitus. There is
aching in umbilical region, griping. Patient feels as if a string were tied in
a "slip-knot" around intestines which was suddenly drawn tight and
then gradually loosened. Region of Liver is sore, tender, enlarged liver with
jaundice and constipation. Stools are clay-colored, soft, yellow and pasty.
Tongue heavily coated. Urine is of high specific gravity, bile and sugar in
urine. Skin is yellow, marked moisture of skin.
Calcarea Carb: It is useful medicine for Gall
stones colic with great chilliness. There is profuse sweat, abdominal spasms,
bend double, clench hands, write with agony. Dr. Farrington says “It has often
stopped pain as by magic and has also cured permanently”.
Podophyllum
: It is useful medicine for Gall stones with jaundice. There is pain from
stomach towards gall bladder. With excessive nausea, alternate constipation and
diarrhea. Also useful in Chronic hepatitis with constipation and jaundice. Patient
constantly rubs the liver region with hands.
Natrum Sulph : It is useful medicine for
Liver and Gall Bladder problems like Gall stones. There is sharp, stitching
pain in region of liver worse by touch, jar, lying on left side, tight clothes
and better by lying right side with legs curdled up (Mag-m). There is
indigestion and flatulence from farinaceous food worse before breakfast.
Veratrum Album : It is useful medicine for
Gall bladder affection. There is pain in abdomen preceding stool, cramps,
knotting abdomen and legs. There is sinking and empty feeling in abdomenStools
are large, with much straining until exhausted, with cold sweat. Diarrhoea in
Veratrum is very painful, watery, copious, and forcibly evacuated, followed by
great prostration.
Berberis Vulgaris : It is
important medicine for Gall Bladder Stone. There are stitches in region
of gall-bladder worse by pressure, extending to stomach. It is useful for
catarrh of the gall-bladder with constipation and yellow complexion. < by
motion, standing.
Dioscoria : It is useful medicine for Gall Stone & Gall
stone Colic. There are wandering type of pain which suddenly shifts to
different parts as back, chest, arms, fingers and toes. All symptoms are worse
by doubling up (Opposite of Colosynth).
>
stretching out, bending back, Standing erect.
Lycopodium : It is useful medicine for Gall stone,
Gall bladder, Liver affection. Lycopodium is right sided remedy symptoms go
from right to left side. There is pain in right hypchondrium extending to back
(Chelidonium) worse by eating to satiety. Abdomen is full, bloated, distended
in epigastrium after meal. Lycopodium desires sweets and hot drinks. Symptoms
are worse from 4-8 pm, after eating, suffer from anticipation.
Mother
Tincture for Gall Stone Colic
Cardus Marians Q. : When liver is prominently affected with torpidity,
constipation etc. To check formation of stone Cardus M Q. 5 drops in an
ounce of cool water twice daily.
Chionanthus Q.:
When symptoms are associated with pain under right shoulder. It gives instant
relief and insures radical cure in gall stone colic.
Give Chinanthus Q. 10 drops in an ounce of water every
hour and oftener during paroxysms of pain. To check the formation of gall
stones and recurrence of pain give chionanthus Q. 5 drops thrice daily in an
ounce of cool water.
Dioscoria Q.
: When pain ameliorated by bending backward. Give Dioscoria Q. 5 drops
every 10 to 15 minutes in biliary colic.
Cholestrinum 1 x
: It is specific remedy to be used independently.
Stigmata madagus Q.: It relieves at once the violent pain if given during
paroxysm. DR Hausen says “It is very beneficial medicine for intolerable pain
during passing of gall-stones if given in Q. 20 drops every 10-15 minutes. “
Cactus Q.: Gall
stones or renal colic with constriction and cardiac affection.
Biochemic
Materia Medica:
Calcarea Phos: To prevent the re-formation of new stones.
Magnesia phos: Spasms from gall-stones.
Natrum Sulph: Cannot bear tight clothing around waist.
