Gall Stones

It is extraordinary to think that 80 percent of people with gall stones are walking around completely oblivious to the fact.

Gall stones are very common, with thousands of people developing them each year, but only about fifty percent of “sufferers” experience symptoms or complications. Gall stones are the principal disorder of the gall bladder, and the one with which most other such disorders are associated. Women are affected up to four times as often as men, though this figure varies according to age and nationality.

Attempts by the gall bladder to expel the stone(s) can cause severe pain in the upper abdomen (biliary colic) and this pain can radiate into the back, particularly behind the shoulder blades. If a gall stone becomes stuck in the outlet for the gall bladder, the trapped bile may irritate and inflame the gall bladder, which can result in a fever with severe abdominal pain and tenderness under the ribs on the right side.

The Orthodox Approach

Gall-bladder problems are investigated by physical examination and techniques such as ultrasound scanning, radionuclide scanning, or x-ray of the gall bladder after it has been filled with a radio-opaque substance. Blood tests may also be carried out. Small gall stones sometimes disappear without treatment, simply passed out of the body with the faeces. Others can be carried around for years with no adverse effect or pain. However, stores that cause inflammation or pain are removed surgically, together with the gall bladder. Occasionally, small stones can be dissolved by drugs; some hospitals use sound waves to break them up.

The Hale Approach

Any abdominal pain, especially if it severe or persistent, must be reviewed by a physician. Once gall stones have been diagnosed, monitoring by the orthodox profession is essential, since an incorrectly treated blocked bile (gall bladder) duct can be a serious complication. Complementary therapies may be used in conjunction with orthodox monitoring. Be wary of practitioners who suggest dissolving or shrinking gall stones. Large stones are rarely a problem because they cannot get out of the opening of the gall bladder duct. Once a gall stone is shrunk it may become mobile, cause pain and block the duct.

With the treatment of gall stones it is imperative to ascertain the size of the stones(s) by ultrasound or x-ray. If they are small enough they can be flushed out by a naturopathic or nutritional program, homeopathy, acupuncture or Ayurveda. For larger stones, a modified treatment would be used to prevent the existing stones increasing in size.

Nutrition and Naturopathy

Ayurveda

According to the principles of traditional Indian medicine, this condition occurs because of a faulty metabolic process. This is governed by the elemental force likened to the bile, Pitha, which controls the digestive system and all biochemical processes. Areas to be looked at include the appetite, the efficiency of the digestive enzymes and the quality of the bile in the gall bladder. An excess of fatty and dairy foods is usually responsible. Treatment involves herbal medications and detoxification, plus advice on adjustments to diet and lifestyle.

Colonic Hydrotherapy

A detoxification program for the liver and colon is important for improved gall bladder function. Colonic irrigation may be helpful in the treatment of gall stones, but only as part of a total cleanse of the gastro-intestinal tract, beginning with a reduction of the amount of fat in the diet.

Homeopathy

The most common homeopathic remedy for gall stones is Chelidonium majus. It is very effective in reducing inflammation of the bile duct.

Acupuncture

After determining the cause of the symptoms by oral and physical examination, the acupuncturist stimulates points on the liver, stomach, bladder, gall bladder, spleen and conception meridians.

Tips

See the advice regarding an ultrasound scan given under Naturopathy before following these Tips.

• Place a hot, wet towel on the gall bladder area for two minutes, then replace with a fresh hot towel. Continue the treatment for 10 minutes, changing the towel every 2 minutes.
• Avoid fried foods.
• Eat papaya for breakfast and take the liver-cleansing tablet Liv-52 twice daily after meals.
• Mix one teaspoon of olive oil with one teaspoon of lemon juice and drink once a day for 10 days.