Definition: Gallbladder stones are solid stone like deposits formed in gallbladder. Gall stone disease is one of the major health problems encountered by the medical professionals today and form second most common abdominal ailments in female.
Pathogenesis: It is important that cholesterol is maintained at an appropriate ratio and concentration as cholesterol could precipitate out and form gall stones which are found in the gall bladder. They are a combination of cholesterol, bilirubin, etc., and are insoluble. They get into the cystic duct or the common bile duct and block them.
Risk factors:
- Familial Predisposition: A study using oral cholecystography demonstrated a two-fold increase in gall stones in first degree relative compared with the controls.
- Age: Cholelithiasis is a disease primarily of middle-aged adults. The incidence increases steeply above the age of 40.
- Gender: Women are three times more likely to develop gall stones than men.
- Dietary Factors: an increased intake of cholesterol, saturated fats, excessive calories, refined carbohydrates, and a lack of dietary fiber have been implicated.
- Obesity: Gall stones occur three to four times more frequently in obese than in normal weight persons.
- Hormonal Factors: The incidence is higher in multiparous women than in nulliparous women.
Symptoms: Many people with gall stones have no symptoms and these gall stones are called ‘silent stones’. Increasingly, asymptomatic stones are discovered incidentally during investigations of other problems. Symptoms of gall stones are often called a ‘gall stone attack’ because they occur suddenly. Gall stone attacks often follow fatty meals, and they may occur during the night. These include:
- Recurring intolerance of fatty foods.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Sour eructation.
- Burning epigastrium.
- Flatulence.
- Abdominal bloating.
- Belching.
- Constipation
The most common symptom of gall stones is ‘intermittent pain’ in the epigastrium (70% of patients) or right upper quadrant of the abdomen (20% of patients), progressively increasing and lasting from 30 minutes to several hours.
Dietary Management:
• Bring moderation in diet, and eat at regular intervals. Small, frequent meals are advisable instead of few large meals.
• Meals should be well planned.
• Diet should be nutritious and readily digestible.
• Fasting one day per week, drinking only low calorie fluids.
• Stimulants such as coffee, black tea, sweets, alcohol should be avoided.
Homeopathic Treatment: Approximately 60%- 80% cases with gallstone are asymptomatic where surgical intervention is not required. Moreover, people in general go for surgical intervention only as a last resort and rather opt for medical treatment. While the conventional treatment offers surgery as the probable mode of treatment of cholelithiasis, its treatment through homoeopathy has been engaging
the attention of modern day physicians and patients alike. Homeopathic medicines offer sure, gentle, faster and long lasting treatment of Gallbladder stones. Some of the commonly used homeopathic
medicines are:
- Berberis vulgaris: Colic from gallstones. Stitches and burning in the region of gall bladder; pains come on spasmodically and are confined to one spot; worse pressure; extending to back.
- Dioscorea villosa : Sharp pain in the epigastrium, relieved by standing erect. Rumbling with emission of much flatus. Colic; better walking about; pains radiate from abdomen to back, chest,
arms; worse bending forwards and while lying. - Fel tauri: Increases the duodenal secretion, emulsifies fats and increases the peristaltic action of intestines. Liquefies bile and act as a purgative and cholegogue. Obstruction of cystic duct. Biliary
calculi. Jaundice. Eructations, gurgling in the epigastric region. Disordered digestion, diarrhea and pain in the nape of the neck. - Hydrastis Canadensis: Its action on the liver is marked. Liver swollen, tender. Gallstones. Sore feeling in the stomach more or less constant. Weak digestion. Bitter taste. Pain as if from hard
cornered substance. Pulsation in epigastrium. Constipation. Good remedy when there is tendency to malignancy. - Nux vomica: Weight and pain in epigastrium, with pressure as of stone, several hours after eating; sensitive to pressure. Sour, bitter eructations. Nausea and vomiting with much retching. Colic, with
upward pressure, causing short breath and desire for stool.
Homeopathy Point Case Study: Cured Case of Gallbladder stone
A 25 year female with Gallbladder stone since 1 month. After full case taking, patient was given homeopathic medicine Nux vomica 1m. After 3 months of treatment, patient’s follow up ultrasound showed – no gallstone. There is no recurrence after 3years of follow up.
Dr Renu Pande, MD
Founding Member – HomeopathyPoint
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