Gallstones are small stone or pebble like structures formed within the gall bladder. The gall bladder is a sac situated just below the liver, on the right side of upper abdomen. The bile juice secreted by liver helps in the digestion process by digesting fats. The juice is stored in the gall bladder for some time. When the process of digestion begins, gall bladder pushes the bile through the bile duct in to the small intestine. The bile juice is composed of cholesterol, bilirubin, bile salts, fats, and proteins. Sometimes cholesterol or salts may be present in the juice in large quantities. In that case the salts or cholesterol may consolidate within the gall bladder resulting in the formation of gallstones. The size of gall stones may vary from tiny sand like grain to one as large as a golf ball.
Gallstones can be of two types: Cholesterol stones and Pigment stones. Cholesterol stones are formed out of solidified cholesterol, and are yellowish green in color. Pigment stones are formed from hardened bilirubin, and are dark in color. Cholesterol gallstones are the most common and widespread type of gall stone formed within the gall bladder. Aged people are more likely to suffer from gall stones than younger people. And women are more likely to fall prey to the disease than men. High amounts of Estrogen during pregnancy or due to contraceptive pills cause the cholesterol levels in bile to rise very high, leading to the formation of stones.
1. Prolonged pain on the right upper side of abdomen which may last for even five hours at a time.
2. Pain between shoulder blades
3. Pain under right arm
4. Chills and fever
5. Nausea and vomiting
6. Change in the color of stool
7. Whiteness of eyes
8. Yellowish color of skin
9. Loss of appetite
1. A mixture of olive oil and lemon juice if taken daily can melt the gallstones.
2. Sliced ginger can help.
3. Drinking raw beet root juice can be helpful.
4. Consuming plenty of carrots a day is a good natural remedy for gallstones.
5. Turmeric is very powerful in dissolving gall stones. Half a teaspoon of turmeric powder should be taken daily.
6. Chamomile and Cleavers tea can help.
7. Olive leaf capsules are available in market, and can be a good herbal remedy for gallstones.
8. Eating a lot of green apples.
9. Drinking fresh juices of apples, pears, grapefruits.
10. Drinking plenty of water.
11. Brisk walk and yoga can help.
12. Taking hot compress on the upper abdomen can relieve the patient of pain.
13. Even fasting until pain subsides can be useful.
14. Rosemary is capable of stimulating bile production.
15. A mixture of milk and dandelion root extract also stimulates the production of bile, thus preventing any congestion in the duct.
16. Eating a diet rich in Vitamin C.
17. Milk thistle is highly useful in the case of gallstones.
