Gallstones are not uncommon in the general population. The incidence of gallstones is two to three times higher in women than men. Gallstone is a medical condition in which a 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 the right side rib cage. This pain soon radiates into other body parts.
Gallstones do not show any symptoms in the 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 a few minutes to a few hours. The pain is on the right side and radiates to the shoulder and back. Patients may suffer from nausea and vomiting.
Gallstones are of two major types namely cholesterol stones (80%) and pigment stones (20%). Pigment stones are further subdivided into ‘black and brown’ types. Pigment stones are composed primarily of calcium bilirubin. Brown pigment stones are mostly the consequence of a bacterial or parasitic infection in the biliary tree. In chronic hemolytic diseases, the formation of black pigment stones occurs.
For diagnosis Ultrasonography (USG) is performed. After confirming the condition, Cholecystectomy (a surgical procedure to remove the gallbladder) is performed in modern medicine.
Risk factors
There is an increased frequency of gallstones in those who have a family history as if their parents have gallstones or their grandparents have it.
Age-There is a 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 are usually in the 50s and 60s.
Sex: It is more common in females.
Drugs-Women who are on estrogen therapy or on birth control pills have a higher incidence of gallstones. It is also seen in those who are on cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Obesity: is seen as a measure cause of gallstones as obesity leads to increase cholesterol
Diet: Deficiency of dietary fiber content is linked to a higher prevalence of gallstones
Any systemic disease: like bypass surgery, or Crohn’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 solubilized 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 a decrease in the motility of the gallbladder. Sometimes infection from E. coli and Bacterium typos 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 color, 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 the right upper part of the abdomen.
- Patients whose gallstones are passed down in the biliary tree may develop pain with obstructive jaundice. Fever may also develop.
- Distension of the gallbladder may also develop in later stages.
- Sometimes a fistula can be formed between the gallbladder and skin.
- A gallstone in the intestine may be passed in feces without and at times may also obstruction of intestines.
- Gallstones cancer can also develop in an advanced stage.
Complications of Gallstones
- Liver failure.
- Acute pancreatitis.
- Gallbladder cancer.
- Distension of gall bladder.
Homeopathic Medicines
There are Homoeopathic medicines that gradually dissolve the stone. For this purpose, medicine is prescribed continuously over a period of time. The medicine, duration of treatment, is decided after considering many factors. Here are 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 resembles very much that of the pain of gallstones is that it has constant pain under the inferior angle of the right scapula. There is great mental laziness. All these conditions are brought by the change in weather. It has specific symptoms of the liver which has Jaundice due to gallbladder obstruction. It has gall colic and distension. There are fermentation and weakness of passing of stools. Liver enlarged. There is constriction across, as if by a string.
Tongue yellow with an imprint of teeth, large and flabby. Everything bitter, pasty. There is a bad smell from of mouth. The patient prefers hot food and drink. Patients feel nauseated and there vomiting; which is better than taking very hot water. Pain through the stomach to the back and right shoulder blade. Pain is relieved by eating but this is temporary.
There is constipation, stools hard, round balls, like sheep’s dung. Also, there is an alteration of diarrhea 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. The skin has yellowish spots and also suited for weak children. Symptoms run from right to left, but this drug acts especially on the right side of the body. The characteristic symptom of this remedy is that remedy that immediately after a light meal, the abdomen is full and bloated. The liver is sensitive. Effective for Hernia especially on the right side. It is an 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 a bitter taste in the mouth. He wakes up at night feeling hungry. The stool is hard, difficult small, and incomplete.
Dosage: Adults or children over 2 years. Take 3 tablets 1-3 times per day. Allow dissolving under tongue. Stop when symptoms are relieved.
3. Calcarea Carb 30
Impaired nutrition is a very important symptom of this remedy. There is local and general perspiration, swelling of glands. These kinds of patients are so sensitive that they take cold easily. Children have a tendency to grow fast 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 causes indigestion. There is frequent sour eructation with sour vomiting. This kind of patient dislikes fat. Patients have loud belching. Pain in the stomach, which is worse by pressure and cold water and touching. There is distension of the abdomen. The patient cannot bear clothes around the waist. It is an important remedy for gallstone colic.
Stools are large are hard. Diarrhea 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 odors, touch. All symptoms occur suddenly. The patient feels hungry soon after eating. There are sour taste and sour eructations 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 a good remedy for postoperative vomiting. Pain in the stomach which relieved by cold water. It is a very good remedy for acute hepatitis and Jaundice. There are large yellow spots on the abdomen.
The stool is difficult to expel which at times causes bleeding hemorrhoids. There is a desire for stool lying on the left side.
Dosage: 3 pellets 3 times a day with less frequency as improvement is made.
5. Nux Vomica 30
This patient is 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 difficulty digesting. There are a sour taste and nausea in the morning, after eating. There is a feeling of weight and pain in the stomach which is worse by eating. There are nausea and vomiting, with much difficulty. The stomach is sensitive to pressure. There is a feeling of stone in the stomach. Patient like fats and digests them well. Dyspepsia from drinking strong coffee. The patient wants to vomit, but cannot.
The 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 diarrhea. There are frequent small stools.
Dosage: 3 pellets 3 times a day with less frequency as improvement is made.
6. Pulsatilla 30
There are greasy taste and a dry mouth without thirst. The patient wants the mouth to be washed. There is yellow or with the coated tongue. Aversion to fatty food, warm food, and drinks. Educations on food remains a long time. There is dyspepsia with great tightness after a meal, loosen clothing. Thirst lessness with nearly all complaints. Vomiting of food eaten long before. Pain in the stomach an hour after eating. There is a feeling of weight as id from a stone, especially in the morning on waking up. There is a pain in the 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 a feeling of nausea retching and vomiting after eating or drinking. There is burning pain. Patients have cravings for acids and coffee. There are long-lasting eructations. At times there is vomiting of blood. Stomach extremely irritable. Pain is stomach from vinegar, acids, and ice creams. There are terrible fear and difficulty breathing with pain in the stomach. Everything swallowed seems to lodge in the upper part of the body.
Burning pains like coals of fire which are relieved by heat. The abdomen is swollen and painful. Pain as if from a wound in the abdomen.
There is a 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 a constant feeling of nausea, and vomiting with a pale face and twitching of ace. Vomits of food, blood. It is important to remedy 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 occur periodically. The symptoms are worsened with 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 the 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 a need for surgical treatment or not.
- See any complications or not.
- A patient must be convinced of the operation.