In Ayurveda it is known as PRATISHYAYA mainly
due to vitiation of DOSHAS (Vata, Pitta & Kapha).
The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped organ that averages three
to six inches in length. It lies underneath the liver in the upper
right side of the abdomen. It is connected to the liver and small
intestine by small tubes called bile ducts. Bile, a greenish-brown
fluid, is utilized by the body to digest fatty foods and assists
in the absorption of certain vitamins and minerals. The
gallbladder serves as a reservoir for bile. Between meals, bile
accumulates and is concentrated within this organ. During meals,
the gallbladder contracts and empties bile into the intestine to
assist in digestion.
There are two major types of gallstones:
-
Cholesterol gallstones are composed
mainly of cholesterol which is made in the liver. These
account for nearly 80% of all cases of gallstones in the
United States.
-
Pigment gallstones are composed of
calcium salts, bilirubin and other material. They account
for the remaining 20% of gallstones in this country.
Causes for Gall
stone :
Approximately 80% of all gallstones are completely
asymptomatic and "silent." The chance that a "silent"
gallstone will become symptomatic is 2% for each year.
-
People who are overweight
-
Older persons
-
Pregnant women
-
Women who use hormone contraceptives and
post-menopausal hormones
-
Persons with a family history of
gallstones
-
Persons of American Indian ancestry
-
Persons with diseases of the small
intestine
-
Persons who have recently lost weight.
Symptoms of
gallstone disease.
Symptoms of gallbladder disease occur when gallstones irritate
the gallbladder. The most common symptoms associated with
gallstone disease include:
-
Severe and intermittent pain in the right
upper abdomen. This pain can also spread to the chest,
shoulders or back. Sometimes this pain may be mistaken for a
heart attack.
-
Chronic indigestion and nausea.
How are gallstones
identified?
Nearly all gallstones can be easily identified by an
ultrasound examination. This is a simple and painless
procedure in which sound waves are utilized to create pictures
of the gall-bladder, bile ducts and its contents. This test is
highly sensitive for identifying either gallstones or sludge
within the gallbladder.
What can be done at home?
Recurrent painful attacks, if mild, can be treated with
over-the-counter painkillers. Placing something warm on your
stomach may be helpful, taking care not to scald the skin. The
frequency of attacks may be reduced by a low-fat diet.
Can gallstones be prevented?
Recent studies have suggested that persons at highest risk for
gallstone formation, obese persons undergoing weight
reduction, can virtually eliminate their risk for developing
gallstones by taking KANCHANAR GUGGULU.
Herbs which is useful :
Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris) :
The bark is astringent, tonic and anthelmintic. It is useful
in Gallbladder disorders, scrofula and skin diseases. It is
also used for ulcers and leprosy. A decoction of the bark is
taken for dysentery. The dried buds are used for diarrhea,
dysentery and hemorrhoids.
Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa ) :
Both the white and red species of Punarnava are used to treat
kidney disorders, gallbladder stones, cystitis,heart disease,
cough, intestinal colic, jaundice, urethritis. It is given
when increased secretions of the kidney are wanted, or when
there are lessened secretions, such as in ascites, whether due
to the heart, kidney, or liver.
Olive Oil :
During a gallbladder flush, 1-2 cups of olive oil are consumed
to simulate the gallbladder into releasing bile. This
increased demand on the gallbladder to release bile works to
push the stones out
Diet :
Small gallstones can usually be cleared
through dietetic cure. In case of acute gall bladder
inflammation, the patient should fast for two or three days
until the acute condition is cleared Nothing but water should
be taken during this period after the fast the patient should
take fruit and vegetables juices for a few days. Carrots,
beets, grapefruit, pears, lemons or grape may be taken in the
form of juice. Thereafter the patient should adopt a well
balanced diet with emphasis on raw and cooked vegetables,
fruit and vegetable juice. Yogurt, cottage cheese and a table
spoon of olive oil twice a day should also be included in the
diet.
Life Style :
The pain of gallstone colic can be relieved by application of
hot packs or fomentation to the upper abdominal area. A warm
water enema at body temperature will help eliminate faucal
accumulations if the patient is constipated. Physical exercise
is also essential. Surgery becomes necessary if the gallstones
are very large or in cases where they have been present for
long.
