Gall Stone Colic

Prevention & Treatment By Homeopathy.

Dr. Deepa Shah

Gallbladder is a small sac located on the right-hand side of the body, on the underside of the liver. Gall (bile) is a greenish-brown liquid which the liver produces. Gall is stored and concentrated in the gallbladder. Gall goes into the small intestine via the bile ducts to facilitate the digestion, mainly of fats. Every time we eat some gall is released into the intestines. Gallstones: When the chemicals in the gallbladder, cholesterol, calcium bilirubinate, and calcium carbonate are out of balance gallstones may form Gallstones can vary in size and shape from as small as a grain of sand to as large as a golf ball. The gallbladder may contain a single large stone or many smaller ones. Pseudoliths, sometimes referred to as sludge, are thick secretions that may be present within the gallbladder, either alone or in conjunction with fully formed gallstones. The clinical presentation is similar to that of cholelithiasis. The composition of gallstones is affected by age, diet and ethnicity. On the basis of their composition, gallstones can be divided into the following types :

CHOLESTEROL GALLSTONES - these may form if there is too much cholesterol in the bile. Cholesterol stones vary from light yellow to dark green or brown or chalk white and are oval, usually solitary, between 2 and 3 cm long, each often having a tiny, dark, central spot.

PIGMENT GALLSTONES - these form when the bile has too much bilirubin. They are more common among patients who have liver disease, infected bile tubes or blood disorders, such as sickle-cell anemia. Stones are small, dark (often appearing black), and usually numerous.

MIXED STONES: Mixed ("Brown Pigment") stones typically calcium carbonate, palmitate phosphate, bilirubin and other bile pigments (calcium bilirubinate, calcium palmitate and calcium stearate). Because of their calcium content, they are often radio graphically visible.

RISK OF GALLSTONES :

While your body produces cholesterol naturally, you can also take in excess cholesterol through your diet. Many risk factors for gallstones are related to diet. These include :

Being overweight or obese

Eating a diet that’s high in fat or cholesterol

Rapid weight loss within a short period of time

Eating diet that’s high in fiber

Having diabetes mellitus

 

OTHER RISK FACTORS INCLUDE :

Being female

Being pregnant

Having a family history of gallstones

Being age 60 or older

Having cirrhosis of the liver

Taking certain medications for lowering cholesterol

Taking medications that have a high estrogen content Don’t stop taking any medicines unless you have discussed it with your doctor.

SYMPTOMS OF GALLSTONES :

You may not experience any symptoms if you have gallstones. According to the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), 80 percent of people who have gallstones don’t have any pain at all. These are called “silent” gallstones. Some people do have gallstone symptoms. The most common symptom of gallstones is pain in the right upper quadrant of your abdomen. The pain often radiates to your back or right shoulder or shoulder blade.

OTHER SYMPTOMS INCLUDE :

Fever