Gallstones is not uncommon in general population. The incidence of gallstones are two to three times higher in women than men. Gallstone is a medical condition in which small, hard crystalline mass formed abnormally in the gall bladder or bile ducts from bile pigments, cholesterol, and calcium salts. Gallstones can cause severe pain and blockage of the bile duct. In gallstone severe pain is felt on right side rib cage. This pain soon radiates into other body parts.
Gallstones does not show any symptoms in majority of cases. They usually produce symptoms by causing inflammation (acute cholecystitis) or obstruction following their migration into the cystic duct or common bile duct (Biliary colic). In biliary colic, pain starts suddenly and may remain for few minutes to few hours. The pain is on right side and radiates to shoulder and back. Patient may suffer from nausea and vomiting.
Gallstones are of two major types namely cholesterol stones (80%) and pigment stones (20%). Pigment stone are further subdivided into ‘black and brown’ types. Pigment stones are composed primarily of calcium bilirubinate. Brown pigment stones are mostly the consequence of bacterial or parasitic infection in the biliary tree. In chronic hemolytic diseases, formation of black pigment stones occurs.
For diagnosis Ultrasonography (USG) is performed. After confirming the condition, Cholecystectomy (surgical procedure to remove gallbladder) is performed in modern medicine.
Risk factors
There is increased frequency of gallstones in those who have a family history like if their parents have gallstones or their grandparents have it.
Age-There is high risk of gallstones with advancing age which may be due to increased cholesterol content in the bile. The incidence increases above the age of 40 and presentation is usually in the 50s and 60s.
Sex: It is more common in females.
Drugs-Women who are oestrogen therapy or on birth control pills have higher incidence of gallstones. It is also seen those who are on cholesterol lowering drugs.
Obesity: is seen as measure cause of gallstones as obesity leads to increase cholesterol
Diet: Deficiency of dietary fibre content in linked to higher prevalence of gallstones
Any systemic disease: like bypass surgery, or chrohn’s disease (which is associated with gastrointestinal disease) can also contribute to gallstones.
How gallstones are formed?
Cholesterol is normally insoluble in water. But it can be solubilised in it by another lipid. A mixed composition is formed by cholesterol and another compound known as phospholipids (lecithin). If with any reason this cholesterol is in excess, then unstable cholesterol molecule remain behind which is later on collected and form stones. Another cause of its formation is that at times there is decrease motility of gallbladder. Sometimes infection from E. coli and Bacterium typhosum and streptococcus can also cause gallstones.
Types of Gallstones
Cholesterol gallstones: These are the most common type of gallstone. These are composed mainly of undissolved cholesterol, but may contain other components. It is pale yellow in colour, smooth, oval, usually single.
Pigment gallstones: These are dark brown or black stones form when bile contains too much bilirubin.
Calcium stone: It is rarest in type.
Symptoms of Gallstones
- Colic pain which is often seen after fatty meals, nausea, vomiting, fever and high serum bilirubin in clinical reports. It is generally seen in in the right upper part of the abdomen.
- Patients whose gallstones are passed down in biliary tree may develop pain with obstructive jaundice. Fever may also develop.
- Distension of gallbladder may also develop in later stage.
- Sometimes a fistula can be form between gallbladder and skin.
- A gallstones in intestine may be passed in faeces without and at times may also obstruction of intestines.
- Gallstones cancer can also develop in advanced stage.
Complications of Gallstones
- Liver failure.
- Acute pancreatitis.
- Gallbladder cancer.
- Distension of gall bladder.
Homeopathic Medicines
There are Homoeopathic medicines that gradually dissolves the stone. For this purpose medicine are prescribed continuously over a period of time. The medicine, duration of treatment, is decided after considering many factors. Here is given few remedies which are useful in gallstones.
1. Chelidonium majus 200
It is a prominent liver remedy, covering many symptoms of it. Its important symptom which resemble very much with that of pain of gallstones is that it has constant pain under the inferior angle of right scapula. There is great mental laziness. All these conditions are brought by change of weather. It has specific symptom of liver which has Jaundice due to gallbladder obstruction. It has gall colic and distension. There is fermentation and weakness of passing of stools. Liver enlarged. There is constriction across, as if by a string.
Tongue yellow with imprint of teeth, large and flabby. Every things bitter, pasty. There is bad smell from of mouth. Patient prefers hot food and drink. Patient feel nauseated and there vomiting; which is better taking very hot water. Pain through the stomach to the back and right shoulder blade. Pain which is relieved by eating but this is temporarily.
There is constipation, stools hard, round balls, like sheep’s dung. Also there is alteration of diarrhoea and constipation.
Dosage: 3 pellets 3 times a day with less frequency as improvement is made.
2. Lycopodium clavatum 200
This drug is indicated when there is evidence of urinary or digestive disturbance. It is indicated when liver function is seriously disturbed. There is defective nutrition. It is for those people especially old with an earthy complexion uric acid diathesis. Skin has yellowish spots and also suited for weak children. Symptoms run form right to left, but this drug acts especially on the right side of the body. Characteristic symptom of this remedy is that remedy that immediately after a light meal, abdomen is full and bloated. Liver is sensitive. Effective for Hernia especially of right side. It is effective remedy for hepatitis. Pain across the lower abdomen, from right to left.
There is indigestion from cabbage, beans. Excessive hunger, Desire for sweet things, Food tastes sour. Every food tastes sour. There is sour eructation. After eating, pressure in the stomach, with bitter taste is mouth. He wakes up at night feeling hungry. Stool is hard, difficult small and incomplete.
Dosage: Adults or children over 2 years. Take 3 tablets 1-3 times per day. Allow to dissolve under tongue. Stop when symptoms are relieved.
3. Calcarea Carb 30
Impaired nutrition is very important symptom of this remedy. There is local and general perspiration, swelling of glands. These kind of patients are so sensitive that they take cold easily. Children has a tendency to grow fat and they have large bellies with a large head, and pale skin. All complaints are caused by working in water. These children crave eggs and they eat many indigestible things, like chalk, and earthen pots, pencils. They have a liking for eggs, salt and sweets. Milk cause indigestion. There are frequent sour eructation with sour vomiting. These kind patients dislikes fat. Patients have loud belching. Pain in stomach, which is worse by pressure and cold water and touching. There is distension of abdomen. Patient cannot bear clothes around the waist. It is important remedy for gallstone colic.
Stools are large are hard. Diarrhoea of undigested food with excessive appetite.
Dosage: 3 pellets 3 times a day with less frequency as improvement is made.
4. Phosphorus 200
It is suited for tall, slender people, who are narrow chest and they are very sensitive to light, sound odours, touch. All symptoms occurs suddenly. Patient feel hungry soon after eating. There is sour taste and sour eructation’s after every meal. There belching large quantities of wind after eating. Vomiting of water is thrown up as soon as it gets warm in the stomach. It is good remedy for post-operative vomiting. Pain in stomach which relieved by cold water. It is very good remedy for acute hepatitis and Jaundice. There are large yellow spots on the abdomen.
Stool are difficult to expel which at times causes bleeding haemorrhoids. There is desire for stool on lying on left side.
Dosage: 3 pellets 3 times a day with less frequency as improvement is made.
5. Nux Vomica 30
This patient are very quick, active, nervous and irritable. They do a good deal of mental work; and leads a sedentary life. They do a lot of prolonged office work. They often have craving for stimulating food such as wine and other over indulgences. They often do late hours as a result they have difficult of digestion. There is sour taste and nausea in the morning, after eating. There is feeling of weight and pain in stomach which is worse by eating. There is nausea and vomiting, with much difficulty. Stomach is sensitive to pressure. There is feeling of stone in stomach. Patient like fats and digests them well. Dyspepsia from drinking strong coffee. Patient wants to vomit, but cannot.
Patient has colic from uncovering, and with upward pressure causing short breath and desire for stool.
Constipation with frequent ineffectual urging incomplete and unsatisfactory feeling as if a part remained unexpelled. Alternate constipation and diarrhoea. There is frequent small stools.
Dosage: 3 pellets 3 times a day with less frequency as improvement is made.
6. Pulsatilla 30
There is greasy taste and dry moth without thirst. Patient wants the mouth to be washed. There is yellow or with coated tongue. Aversion to fatty food, warm food and drinks. Educations of food remains a long time. There is dyspepsia with great tightness after a meal, loosen clothing. Thirst less ness with nearly all complaints. Vomiting of food eaten long before. Pain in the stomach an hour after eating. There is feeling of weight as id from a stone, especially in the morning on waking up. There is pain in abdomen with chilliness in the evening.
Dosage: 3 pellets 3 times a day with less frequency as improvement is made.
7. Arsenic Album 200
Patients cannot bear the sight or smell of food. There is great thirst but little at a time. There is feeling of nausea retching and vomiting after eating or drinking. There is burning pain. Patients has craving acids and coffee. There is long lasting erucations. At time there is vomiting of blood. Stomach extremely irritable. Pain is stomach from vinegar, acids, and ice creams. There is terrible fear and difficult of breathing with pain in stomach. Everything swallowed seems to lodge in the upper part of body.
Burning pains like coals of fire which is relieved by heat. Abdomen swollen and painful. Pain as if from a wound in the abdomen.
There is small, offensive dark with marked weakness. Worse at night and after eating and drinking. Bad effects of alcohol.
Dosage: 3 pellets 3 times a day with less frequency as improvement is made.
8. Ipecac 30
There is constant feeling of nausea, and vomiting with a pale face and twitching of ace. Vomits of food, blood. It is important remedy for amoebic dysentery with great urging and straining pain so great that nauseates. The patient has little thirst.
Dosage: 3 pellets 3 times a day with less frequency as improvement is made.
9. Sulphur 200
The tearing pains in the region of the gall duct which occur periodically. The symptoms are worsen by every change of weather. There can be attacks of bilious vomiting, and bilious headaches. At times the stool is black as tar, at others it is green and thick, and there are times when the stool is white. These stools alternate and change about with the engorgement of liver.
10. Berberis
It is useful in treating gallbladder pain associated with gallstones. The symptoms are worse by standing or exercise.
Management of Gallstones
- When gallstones are identified by a physician it is seen whether it is symptomatic are not.
- If it is asymptomatic then it is managed by giving medicines.
- If no symptoms are seen, then see whether there is need of surgical treatment or not.
- See any complications or not.
- Patient must be convinced for operation.
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