What are gall stones ? We have a small pouch under our liver which stores the products made by our liver which is called gall bladder. Due to various reasons the matter in the gall bladder undergo changes in form to give rise to hard stones-the gall stones. They are mainly of two types the cholesterol stones and pigment stones. The cholesterol form about 80% of the stones and pigment are 20%.
It affects one in ten in US , causes 800,000 admissions and about 500,000 surgeries for gallstones.
The important reasons why these stone happen are only two. One is a particular body chemistry(which is genetic) and the mobility of the gall-bladder. The gall bladder is a muscular pouch and is supposed to squeeze and pump the fluids into the stomach/intestine (fluid helps in digestion). When this does not happen properly due to any reason or the gall bladder gets inflamed there is fluid stasis(remains in place) and gives rise to stone.Hence often we find recurrence of gall stones because even if the stones are removed the gall bladder is unhealthy and will again form stones.Both these reasons are something which we can hardly change.
The other are the risk factors which if kept minimum can help us in preventing gall stones. Obesity is an obvious risk as it increases the cholesterol levels which will cause gallstones. Doing yo-yo dieting with sudden reduction in weight gain, prolonged fasting,hormone therapy,birth control pills. Women from 20 yrs to 60 yrs are at risk and men over 60yrs. All obese people are at risk.
What happens if you have gall stones. ? Most of the people who have gallstones do not get any problem.They are often diagnosed when sonography is done for some other purpose. They can get formed and remain there for many years without any discomfort to the patient. When they do cause problem the symtoms are 1)pain in abdomen more on right side 2)fullness of abdomen-gases 3)nausea 4)digestion problem-and if severe jaundice, acute pain between shoulder blades and fever.
How to manage gallstones ? For the young people (under 50yrs ) the conservative treatment means
1) Observation- dont start any treatment
2) Reduce weight by starting on daily walks, exercise in a gradual manner
3)Stop hormonal pills/ contraceptives if its possible
4)Reduce all the crash diets, yo-yo diets, fads ...
5)Eat smart- reduce heavy foods, butter,oil,ghee,cheese, junk,large meals. Go for smaller meals and fibre.
6)Try alternative therapy like homeopathy. Give it at least 8-10wks and see. Most of the times the symtoms are reduced and the stones may remain. Good enough.
Surgery is not a good idea as surgery is a major one and stones do form again if gall bladder unhealthy. If you remove the entire gall bladder also there are problems
http://ibs.about.com/u/ua/relatedconditions/Problems-After-Gallbladder-Removal.htm
Of course there will be -you are removing an organ out of the body!
For the senior citizens walks is a good idea as a form of exercise and reduction in heavy foods.Can also go for alternative therapy and try.There is no need for surgery if the symptoms are less-or can be reduced by any other therapy. Chances of stone obstructing bile duct and causing jaundice are not very common and if happens can be treated easily. Chances of causing cancer or pancreatitis are very remote and hence should not be the reason for every gallstone surgery.
Many times larger stones do not do anything and can be ignored.Surgery in senior citizens actually is a problem because of the other health issues like blood pressure, diabetes and no added benefit to the person.
No action is many times the best action !
www.homeopathy4all.com
It affects one in ten in US , causes 800,000 admissions and about 500,000 surgeries for gallstones.
The important reasons why these stone happen are only two. One is a particular body chemistry(which is genetic) and the mobility of the gall-bladder. The gall bladder is a muscular pouch and is supposed to squeeze and pump the fluids into the stomach/intestine (fluid helps in digestion). When this does not happen properly due to any reason or the gall bladder gets inflamed there is fluid stasis(remains in place) and gives rise to stone.Hence often we find recurrence of gall stones because even if the stones are removed the gall bladder is unhealthy and will again form stones.Both these reasons are something which we can hardly change.
The other are the risk factors which if kept minimum can help us in preventing gall stones. Obesity is an obvious risk as it increases the cholesterol levels which will cause gallstones. Doing yo-yo dieting with sudden reduction in weight gain, prolonged fasting,hormone therapy,birth control pills. Women from 20 yrs to 60 yrs are at risk and men over 60yrs. All obese people are at risk.
What happens if you have gall stones. ? Most of the people who have gallstones do not get any problem.They are often diagnosed when sonography is done for some other purpose. They can get formed and remain there for many years without any discomfort to the patient. When they do cause problem the symtoms are 1)pain in abdomen more on right side 2)fullness of abdomen-gases 3)nausea 4)digestion problem-and if severe jaundice, acute pain between shoulder blades and fever.
How to manage gallstones ? For the young people (under 50yrs ) the conservative treatment means
1) Observation- dont start any treatment
2) Reduce weight by starting on daily walks, exercise in a gradual manner
3)Stop hormonal pills/ contraceptives if its possible
4)Reduce all the crash diets, yo-yo diets, fads ...
5)Eat smart- reduce heavy foods, butter,oil,ghee,cheese, junk,large meals. Go for smaller meals and fibre.
6)Try alternative therapy like homeopathy. Give it at least 8-10wks and see. Most of the times the symtoms are reduced and the stones may remain. Good enough.
Surgery is not a good idea as surgery is a major one and stones do form again if gall bladder unhealthy. If you remove the entire gall bladder also there are problems
http://ibs.about.com/u/ua/relatedconditions/Problems-After-Gallbladder-Removal.htm
Of course there will be -you are removing an organ out of the body!
For the senior citizens walks is a good idea as a form of exercise and reduction in heavy foods.Can also go for alternative therapy and try.There is no need for surgery if the symptoms are less-or can be reduced by any other therapy. Chances of stone obstructing bile duct and causing jaundice are not very common and if happens can be treated easily. Chances of causing cancer or pancreatitis are very remote and hence should not be the reason for every gallstone surgery.
Many times larger stones do not do anything and can be ignored.Surgery in senior citizens actually is a problem because of the other health issues like blood pressure, diabetes and no added benefit to the person.
No action is many times the best action !
www.homeopathy4all.com
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