Gallstones: What Are Its Causes and Symptoms? from Dr. Mercola
Gallstones: What Are Its Causes and Symptoms?
Story at-a-glance
According
to the Mayo Clinic, gallstones, or chlolelithiasis, are hardened
deposits of digestive fluid that form in your gallbladder
An imbalance in the chemical composition of bile is said to be predominantly responsible for gallstones
In the U.S., around 12 percent of the population — or roughly 36 million people — are affected with gallstones
Although
no definite preventive techniques for gallstone development has been
discovered yet, research shows that there are ways to lower the risk for
these stones
Generally, you should avoid gallstone-causing foods, such as those high in unhealthy cholesterol, spicy foods and fried foods
Found under the liver and on the upper right side of the abdomen, the
gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ that stores bile, a digestive enzyme
that's produced by the liver and is passed along to the small
intestine. Bile is important for the body as it helps digest fats in the
small intestine.1, 2 But, just like other organs, the gallbladder is also prone to diseases, with gallstones being a major example.
What Are Gallstones?
According to the Mayo Clinic, gallstones, or chlolelithiasis,3
are hardened deposits of digestive fluid that form in your gallbladder.
Gallstones are usually made of bile, which is composed of water,
cholesterol, fat protein, bilirubin and bile salts. This liquid is
produced by the liver to help with digestion and is stored in the
gallbladder until the body needs it.
Gallstone sizes vary, with some as small as a grain of sand, and
others as large as a golf ball. Oftentimes, some people develop a single
gallstone, although some have multiple gallstones at the same time.4
What Are the Types of Gallstones That Can Form in the Body?
There are two types of gallstones that can form in your gallbladder. These are:5, 6
• Cholesterol gallstones:
These stones are usually yellow, and are the most common type,
responsible for around 80 percent of gallstones among individuals in
Europe and the Americas. Although they are mainly composed of
undissolved cholesterol, these stones may also contain other components. • Pigment gallstones:
These dark brown or black stones often develop if you have too much
bilirubin in your bile. However, pigment gallstones may also consist of
phosphate, carbonate and other anions.7
Pigment gallstones comprise only 15 percent of stones among people from
Europe and the Americas, although these stones are more common among
Southeast Asians.
What Causes Gallstones?
What ultimately causes gallstone formation is still unclear. However,
researchers have discovered instances that might prompt gallstone
development. In particular, an imbalance in the chemical composition of
bile is said to be predominantly responsible for gallstones, especially
when:8
• Bile contains too much cholesterol:
Dissolving cholesterol released by the liver requires certain
chemicals, and usually, bile contains sufficient amounts of them to
dissolve the cholesterol. But if there is more cholesterol excreted and
there isn't enough bile to dissolve it, the excess cholesterol can
develop into gallstone crystals. • Bile contains too much bilirubin:
A chemical produced when the body breaks down red blood cells,
bilirubin levels can significantly increase among people with liver
cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), biliary tract infections or certain
blood-related conditions. Gallstones may eventually form if there's too
much bilirubin in your system.
Aside from these two bile-related causes, people whose gallbladders
don't empty correctly may experience gallstones. This is because a
failure of the gallbladder to empty completely or often enough can cause
bile to become very concentrated and lead to gallstone formation.9
Risk Factors for Gallstones
There are factors that can increase a patient's risk for gallstones. These include:10, 11
Gender (females are more prone to have gallstones12)
Taking estrogen-containing medicines like oral contraceptives or hormone therapy drugs
Taking an antibiotic called ceftriaxone
How Prevalent Are Gallstones?
Women, older people and overweight people are more prone to developing gallstones.13 The highest rates of gallstones occur in the U.S., Chile, Sweden, Germany and Austria.
In the U.S., around 12 percent of the population — or roughly 36
million people — are affected with gallstones. According to Ferri's
Clinical Advisor 2017, 2 to 3 percent of this number, or about 500,000
to 600,000, have surgeries on average each year to remove their
gallbladder. This makes gallstones the most common gastrointestinal
disorder that requires hospitalization.14
Having gallstones isn't cheap, either. In the U.S., gallstones cost Americans over $5 billion a year and possibly more.15 This makes it the second most expensive digestive disease in the U.S., only surpassed by gastroesophageal reflux disease.16
Can You Get Gallstones While Pregnant?
Yes. In fact, the risk of gallstones may increase during pregnancy.
This is because during pregnancy, the body increases its production of
estrogen to support the growing baby's needs. Increased estrogen levels
may prompt cholesterol levels in bile to increase and lead to gallstone
formation.
In some cases, gallstones do not trigger problems or symptoms and may
resolve on their own after the baby's delivery. However, pregnant women
who experience any of the symptoms below must consult their OB/GYN or
physician immediately:
Steady and increasing pain in the upper right part of the abdomen, especially after eating a fatty meal
Pain between the shoulder blades or under the right shoulder
Abdominal pain that lasts more than five hours
Nausea and vomiting
Fever or chills
Jaundice or yellowing skin
Clay-colored stools
An abdominal ultrasound can determine the presence of gallstones.
Prior to undergoing any examination for gallstones, remind your doctor
or physician about your pregnancy. Certain gallstone diagnostic tests,
such as an oral cholecystogram (X-ray of the gallbladder), computed
tomography (CT) scan or nuclear scan, aren't safe for pregnant women.17
How Do Gallstones Affect Your Body?
If left untreated, gallstones may lead to unwanted complications such as:18
• Gallbladder inflammation:
If a gallstone becomes lodged in the neck of the gallbladder, it can
prompt gallbladder inflammation or cholecystitis, and trigger severe
pain and fever. • Bile duct blockage:
Multiple gallstones can block tubes or ducts that facilitate passage of
bile from your gallbladder or liver to your small intestine. Once this
happens, it can lead to an infection of the bile duct, as well as
jaundice. • Pancreatic duct blockage, and consequently, gallstone pancreatitis:
This tube runs from the pancreas to the common bile duct, and serves as
a passageway for pancreatic juices that aid in digestion. If a
gallstone blocks this pathway, it can prompt gallstone pancreatitis
(inflammation of the pancreas).19 People with gallstone pancreatitis experience intense and constant abdominal pain, and may require hospitalization. • Gallbladder cancer:
It's said that people with a history of gallstones may have a higher
risk for gallbladder cancer. However, this type of cancer is very rare,
so even if there's an elevated cancer risk, the likelihood of this
disease affecting a person may be very small.
Gallstones Versus Kidney Stones
Although they both occur in the lower part of the body, there are key differences between gallstones and kidney stones:20
Gallstones
Kidney Stones
Hard lumps that develop in the gallbladder
Composed of either cholesterol or calcium bilirubinate
Common symptoms include pain below the ribs or right shoulder, nausea, sweating, restlessness and fever
More prevalent among females
Hard crystalline stones that form within the kidney or urinary tract
These stones are made of calcium, struvite, cysteine or uric acid
Common symptoms
include pain below the ribs, back, or right shoulder, as well as
nausea, sweating, restlessness, fever, and colicky pain that comes in
waves
More prevalent among males
Signs and Symptoms of Gallstones You Should Not Miss
Generally, gallstones do not prompt symptoms. However, if one becomes
lodged in a duct and causes blockage, the following signs may appear:21
Abrupt and quickly intensifying pain in the upper right part of the
abdomen, and/or in the center of your abdomen, just below the breastbone
Back pain between the shoulder blades
Pain in the right shoulder
Nausea or vomiting
The pain may last for several minutes up to a few hours. You should
consult a physician immediately if you notice any of the aforementioned
symptoms, but most especially if these conditions appear:
A high fever with chills
Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes
Intense abdominal pain that prevents the patient from sitting still or finding a comfortable position
Conditions such as appendicitis, ulcers, pancreatitis
and gastroesophageal reflux disease may yield indicators that are
similar to gallstones. In certain cases, "silent gallstones" may be
discovered even if a patient does not have indicators. Case in point: A
health care provider may notice gallstones while performing an
ultrasound for another reason.
How to Diagnose Gallstones
A physician can employ any of these methods to check for gallstones,
as highlighted by the University of California San Francisco:22
• Ultrasound: A device
called a transducer bounces safe and painless sound waves off organs to
develop an image of their structure. An ultrasound can be done by a
specially trained technician, either in a health care provider's office,
outpatient center or hospital.
A radiologist (a doctor specializing in medical imaging) inspects
these results. Ultrasounds are highly accurate in detecting gallstones
because the stones are very visible in the image. • Computerized tomography (CT) scan:
This type of procedure produces three-dimensional images using X-rays
and an injection of a special dye called the contrast medium.
Just like with an ultrasound, anesthesia isn't needed. Results of a
CT scan may display gallstones, and/or complications like an infection
and blockage of the gallbladder or bile ducts. Unfortunately, there are
instances wherein CT scans might miss undetected gallstones in your
body. • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI):
MRIs can show gallstones lodged in the ducts of the biliary system.
Detailed pictures of the body's internal organs and soft tissues are
produced by MRI machines that utilize radio waves and magnets. While
MRIs don't require anesthesia, a person with a fear of confined spaces
may be lightly sedated. • Cholescintigraphy:
Also called a hydroxyl iminodiacetic acid scan, HIDA scan or
hepatobiliary scan, cholescintigraphy is a test that aims to deliver
pictures of the biliary system. This procedure doesn't require
anesthesia, and is often used for identifying abnormal contractions of
the gallbladder or obstruction of the bile ducts.
A small amount of radioactive but harmless dye is administered into a
vein in the patient's arm. Once done, a special camera takes pictures
of the radioactive material as it moves through the biliary system. • Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): In this method, an X-ray is used to inspect the bile and pancreatic ducts. Prior to an ERCP, a patient is lightly sedated.
An endoscope, a small and flexible tube fixed with a light and a
camera at the end, is inserted through the mouth, and into the duodenum
and bile ducts. A contrast medium is then injected via a tube into the
patient's bile ducts, so these organs can be visible to a computer and a
monitor attached to the endoscope.
This test detects the affected bile duct and identifies where the
gallstone is. The stone may then be removed and captured onto a tiny
basket attached to the endoscope. Take note, however, that an ERCP tends
to be more invasive compared to other tests, and is only used
selectively.
Apart from the aforementioned diagnostic tests, your physician may
also recommend a blood test to search for signs of infection or
inflammation of the bile ducts, gallbladder, pancreas or liver.23
How to Treat Gallstones Effectively
Gallstones that don't cause symptoms usually do not need medical
treatment. If unpleasant symptoms manifest, however, medical attention
is necessary. Depending on the size and location of the stone,
conventional treatment protocols may include:24
• Lithotripsy: This is a
special machine that aims to shatter gallstones by producing
soundwaves. However, a lithotripsy is only recommended for people with
small and soft stones and is only utilized in certain centers. • Medications: Take
note, however, that medicines to dissolve gallstones are rarely given
because of a variable success rate — sometimes the stones will recur or
the medication won't work at all — and the risk of certain side effects,
such as dermatological problems and a general feeling of illness.
The symptoms and results of diagnostic testing will serve as your
physician's basis in determining the ideal treatment method for
gallstones. Treatment/s can be suggested if gallstone symptoms occur in
the future.25
The U.K.'s NHS further notes that physicians may recommend gallstone
treatment if a patient has a condition that predisposes them more to
diseases such as diabetes, cirrhosis or portal hypertension (high blood
pressure inside the liver that is usually a complication of
alcohol-related liver disease).
If no gallstone symptoms appear, "active monitoring" may be
recommended. What this means is that you won't receive immediate
treatment, although you should let your doctor know if you experience
pain or other symptoms. The rule of thumb is, the longer you go without
symptoms, the lower the possibility of your condition getting worse.26
How to Get Rid of Gallstones Naturally
Before considering conventional treatment options, you may want to
check out these natural remedies for gallstones first. They're
relatively inexpensive, safe and potentially effective:27
• Apple cider vinegar (ACV): The vinegar's acidic nature may prompt the liver to produce less cholesterol.28, 29
According to the book "Water, The Shocking Truth," substances like
malic acid, potassium, pectin and enzymes, all of which may be found in
apple juice and can be transferred to apple cider vinegar, are also known to play a role in alleviating pain and dissolving gallstones.30 • Lemon juice: In general, lemons
may inhibit the body from becoming too acidic and turn into a breeding
ground for gallstones. Plus, large amounts of limonene, a component
found in lemons, may assist in dissolving cholesterol, making it
potentially helpful in keeping gallstone attacks at bay. Another
component called pectin in lemon juice is believed to aid in making sure
bile acids stay in the gut so they won't develop into gallstones.31 • Organic psyllium husk:32
This can serve as a gallstone treatment since fiber in psyllium is
known to bind to the cholesterol in bile and assist in preventing
gallstone formation.33 Just make sure to use organic and 100 percent pure psyllium husk, as it is a heavily sprayed crop, with many sources often being contaminated with harmful pesticides. • Milk thistle: A substance called silymarin34 in milk thistle can stimulate bile production, which may resist its solubility and eventually assist with flushing out gallstones.35 • Pears: Pectin is also present in pears, and it assists with softening gallstones and allows them to be flushed out easily.36
Be Cautious When Using These Common Treatment Protocols for Passing Gallstones
If none of the home remedies mentioned above work, you can consult
your physician on conventional treatment methods that may help ease your
condition. However, be aware that these can have drawbacks for your
health:37
• Oral bile acids:
Certain chemicals or substances like ursodiol or chenodiol are available
as oral bile acid pills that may have the ability to dissolve stones.
These oral bile acids initiate stone dissolving by thinning the bile.
Not everyone can take oral bile acids for gallstones, even if they
may seem effective and generally well-tolerated. Oral bile acids are
only ideal for patients with small and cholesterol-based gallstones.
Plus, major side effects were linked to two types of oral bile acids in
ursodiol (sold under brand names Actigall and Urso) and chenodiol:38, 39
Signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, rash, itching, chest tightness or swelling
Diarrhea
Abdominal or stomach pain
Acid or sour stomach
Belching
Bloating
Cramps
Difficulty having bowel movement
Excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
Full feeling
Heartburn
Indigestion
Loss of appetite
Nausea and vomiting
Pain in the chest below the breastbone
Pain or discomfort in chest, upper stomach or throat
Passing gas
Weight loss
• Contact dissolution therapy:
In order to dissolve gallstones, methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), a
type of solvent, is injected into the gallbladder. While initial studies
have highlighted MTBE's potential in rapidly dissolving stones, this
procedure can also trigger severe side effects like a burning pain
sensation. If you're thinking about undergoing contact dissolution
therapy, inquire about your doctor's level of experience in performing
this procedure. Better yet, look for safer alternatives for gallstone
treatment. • Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL):
An ESWL involves sending shock waves through the body's soft tissues to
shatter gallstones into smaller fragments. Unfortunately, only less
than 15 percent of gallstone patients may find ESWL effective, since it
only works on solitary gallstones that are less than 2 centimeters in
diameter. • Percutaneous cholecystostomy:
In a percutaneous cholescystostomy, a needle is first inserted to
extract fluid from the gallbladder. Afterward, a catheter is inserted
through the skin to drain fluid. It's left in place for a few weeks,
after which surgery to remove the gallbladder is done to prevent
recurrence. A percutaneous cholecystostomy is often given to severely
ill patients who aren't able to tolerate surgery right away.
It's highly advisable to have a thorough discussion with a physician
or health expert before opting for any of these conventional methods to
treat gallstones, so you will know the protocol that is ideal for your
condition and avoid complications.
What You Need to Know About Gallstone Surgery
If natural methods for gallstone removal aren't working, your
physician may advise that you undergo one of these three surgical
procedures.
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Also called keyhole surgery, a laparoscopic cholecystectomy involves
the surgeon making three to four small cuts in the abdomen. The smaller
cuts measure 1 centimeter or less each, and are located on the right
side of the abdomen, while the large cut measures 2 to 3 centimeters and
is located near the belly button.40
After making the cuts, carbon dioxide gas is temporarily inflated
into the abdomen. This is harmless, and is done in order for the surgeon
to easily view the organs. A long, thin telescope with a tiny light and
a video camera at the end, called a laparoscope, is inserted through
one of the cuts. A video monitor allows the surgeon to see the area/s
that need to be operated.
Special surgical instruments are then used to remove the gallbladder.
An x-ray or ultrasound scan of the bile duct can be taken during the
operation if gallstones are present in the bile duct. In some cases,
these stones may be removed by the surgeon on the spot.
Abdominal gas discharges via the laparoscope, and cuts are closed
with dissolvable stitches and covered with dressings once the
gallbladder is removed. A typical laparoscopic cholecystectomy is
performed under a general anesthetic, enabling the patient to fall
asleep before the procedure and not feel any pain.
This procedure can be done in 60 to 90 minutes, and full recovery can
take up to 10 days. However, not everyone can undergo a laparoscopic
cholecystectomy. The following groups of people are not recommended for
this surgical procedure:
Women in their third trimester of pregnancy
People who are extremely overweight
People who have an unusual gallbladder or bile duct structure that makes a keyhole procedure difficult and potentially dangerous
Single-Incision Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
This is a newer type of keyhole surgery that may be used to remove the gallbladder and gallstones.41 It's similar to the laparoscopic cholecystectomy mentioned earlier, although only one small cut is needed.
However, since a single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy is not
performed often, some people may be skeptical about it. Furthermore,
access to this surgery is limited because it needs to be performed by an
experienced surgeon with specialist training.42
Open Cholecystectomy
People who aren't recommended for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy may
be advised to undergo an open cholecystectomy, wherein a surgeon may
remove your gallbladder after making a 10- to 15-centimeter (or 4- to
6-inch) incision in the abdomen underneath the ribs.
An open cholecystectomy is also done under a general anesthetic, and
this procedure is said to be just as effective as laparoscopic surgery.
However, the recovery time for an open cholecystectomy is longer, and it
causes visible scarring. Patients who undergo this procedure might have
to stay in the hospital for up to five days, and full recovery may take
six weeks.43
How to Prevent Gallstones Effectively
Although no definite preventive techniques for gallstone development
has been discovered yet, research shows that there are ways to lower the
risk for these stones.44 One is to refrain from taking medications that can increase your risk for gallstones. These include:45
• Cholesterol-lowering drugs:
Medicines like gemfibrozil (Lopid) and fenofibrate (Tricor) can
increase your gallstone risk. Although they may decrease blood
cholesterol levels, these medicines can also raise the amount of
cholesterol released in bile. • Hormone therapy: HRT refers to the administration of estrogen or a combination of estrogen/progestin therapy.46 For women in particular, increased estrogen levels may lead to a higher gallstone risk.47
As such, if you are undergoing HRT or are taking high-dose birth
control pills, talk to your doctor about your gallstone risk and ask if
there are other hormone-related medications that are better for you.
A Healthy Lifestyle Can Lower Your Gallstone Risk
Decreasing your risk for gallstones begins with a healthy lifestyle, specifically by following these habits:48, 49
• Maintaining a healthy weight: People who are overweight or obese
have a higher risk of gallstones. If you keep your weight at a healthy
level, your risk for gallstones is reduced. Consistently watch what you
eat and make sure you eat healthy foods regularly. • Exercising regularly:
Research shows that moderate physical activity can help increase the
body's levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) or "good"
cholesterol.50
Out of the many workouts available today, high-intensity interval training (HIIT),
particularly the Peak Fitness method, is the best choice to help with
this goal. During a HIIT workout, you train for a shorter period of time
and reduce the frequency required to perform the exercise. In a HIIT
workout, you perform short bursts of very short and high-intensity
drills. In general, HIIT workouts can lead to:
Decreased body fat
Improved muscle tone
Firmer skin and less wrinkles
Increased energy levels and libido
Enhanced athletic speed and performance
Ability to achieve fitness goals faster
The Peak Fitness method can also engage the fast and super-fast
twitch muscle fibers that have many beneficial effects on your body's
metabolic systems, especially when it comes to promoting the production
of the human growth hormone (HGH) and potentially improving your
longevity.
What's the Ideal Diet for Gallstones?
Healthy dietary choices can play a huge role in dissolving gallstones
and helping to prevent them from occurring. Generally, you should avoid
gallstone-causing foods, such as those high in unhealthy cholesterol,
spicy foods and fried foods. Here's a list of what to avoid if you're
dealing with this health problem:51
French fries and potato chips
High-fat processed meats like bacon, bologna, sausage and ribs
High-fat, conventional dairy products like cheese, ice cream, cream, whole milk and sour cream
In addition, reduce the amount of sweets that you eat and make sure
to eat fruits in moderation, since a high-sugar diet can lead to
gallstones. Refrain from eating pasta, white bread and other
carbohydrate-rich foods too. Because carbohydrates are eventually
converted into sugar in the body, carb-rich foods can increase your
gallstone risk.52
What Foods Should You Eat if You Have Gallstones?
High-fiber foods are an important component of a gallstone patient's diet. Good choices include:
Don't forget to incorporate the following foods into your diet too:
Unlimited amounts of fresh, organic and low-net carb vegetables,
especially fiber-rich options (just make sure to introduce these foods
slowly into your diet, since they can prompt digestive discomfort,
especially in those who have had gallbladder surgery)
Moderate quantities of high-quality protein from organically raised, grass fed animals
High portions of healthy fats
The only drawback of eating high-fiber and gas-producing foods if you
have gallstones is that it may cause some digestive discomfort after
undergoing gallbladder surgery. As such, it would be better to introduce
them slowly into your diet.53
Just take note that beans and legumes contain lectins, which may be
detrimental to your health when consumed in excess. For more information
on how to prepare your beans and legumes properly and help mitigate the
potential negative health risks linked to lectins, read this article.
Moreover, don't forget to drink at least eight to 10 glasses of water per day.54
Not only will drinking water assist in keeping bile production running
smoothly, but it can help flush cholesterol out of the body, too.55
Is Fat Bad for You if You Have Gallstones?
As mentioned earlier, high-fat foods are a no-no if you have
gallstones. However, this piece of advice applies to certain types of
harmful fat only. Not all types of fat are bad for you if you have
gallstones, with the following types of fats possibly having the
potential to reduce your gallstone risk:56
Monounsaturated fats: Found in olive oil and canola oil
Instead of switching to low-fat foods, consume fats in moderation.
Avoid eating too much fat at one mealtime and try reducing your meal
portions. These habits might help find specific foods that can trigger
gallstone symptoms. Some of your best sources include fats from avocados, coconut oil, organic grass fed butter, pastured egg yolks, and raw nuts like macadamias, pecans and pine nuts.
Consider keeping a food and symptom diary to track foods responsible
for indicators. If you notice a pattern, avoid symptom-triggering foods
for a two-week trial period and take note of improvements to your
symptoms.57
Other Dietary Reminders for People With Gallstones
If you're looking to lose weight alongside reducing or preventing
gallstones, follow a gradual weight loss plan. Do not attempt to do
low-calorie and rapid weight loss diets, fasts or detoxes,58 as there is evidence that they can disrupt your bile chemistry and increase your chances for developing gallstones.59 Instead, if you are overweight, lose the excess weight slowly — at least 1 to 2 pounds, or 0.5 to 1 kilogram, per week.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gallstones
Q: How do you get gallstones and how do they form in your body?
A: A person can develop gallstones if there is an
imbalance in the chemical composition of their bile. Stones can form if
the bile contains excessively high levels of substances like cholesterol
or bilirubin.60
In some cases, gallstones can develop if the patient's gallbladder
fails to empty completely or if it doesn't empty often enough. This can
cause the bile to become very concentrated and result in stone
formation.61
Q: What do gallstones look like, and what are they made of?
A: Gallstones look like hardened deposits of
digestive fluid that can be as small as a grain of sand or as big as a
golf ball. A stone's color depends on the substance it's made of. Yellow
stones are cholesterol gallstones that are made of the said substance,
alongside other components in your bile.
On the other hand, dark brown or black stones are pigment gallstones
that form because of having too much bilirubin in your bile.62 These stones may also consist of calcium salts of phosphate, carbonate and other anions.63
Q: Are gallstones dangerous?
A: While gallstones do not generally trigger symptoms, these complications can occur if stones are left untreated:64
• Gallbladder inflammation • Blockage of the common bile duct • Gallstone pancreatitis (blockage of the pancreatic duct)
Gallbladder cancer is another reported complication of gallstones, although this is rare.
Q: Do gallstones hurt?
A: Yes. If a stone gets lodged in a duct and prompts
a blockage, a patient can experience extreme pain and discomfort that
may last for several minutes up to a few hours. Common gallstone
symptoms include:65
• Sudden and rapid pain that intensifies
in the upper right part of the abdomen, and/or in the center of your
abdomen just below the breastbone • Back pain between the shoulder blades • Pain in the right shoulder • Nausea or vomiting
If a patient notices any of the following indicators, he or she must seek medical attention immediately:
• A high fever with chills • Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes • Intense abdominal pain that prevents the patient from sitting still or finding a comfortable position
Q: Are gallstones hereditary?
A: There may be a hereditary link to gallstones,
since having a family history of gallstones can play a role in
increasing a patient's risk for this condition. However, there are other
factors that can trigger the disease, such as gender, race, age,
lifestyle habits and existing diseases that the patient may have.66
Q: How are gallstones diagnosed?
A: A physician will perform any of these five diagnostic methods to determine whether a patient has gallstones:67
Aside from these procedures, a physician can also recommend tests to
check for indicators of infection or inflammation in the bile ducts,
gallbladder, pancreas or liver.
Q: Can you pass a gallstone?
A: Yes. According to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center,
most gallstones tend to be small enough to pass out of the body via the
intestines without you noticing.68
Q: How do you treat or dissolve gallstones?
A: Some gallstones may not require medical treatment
because they don't prompt symptoms. If treatment is needed to remove
gallstones from the body, it may include the following:69
• Changes to the patient's diet • Lithotripsy • Medications (although these are rarely given because they can lead to unpleasant side effects) • Surgical procedures like laparoscopic cholecystectomy, single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy or open cholecystectomy70
Arguably, natural methods, as opposed to conventional treatment
protocols, are better when it comes to dissolving these stones and
flushing them out of your body.
Q: How do you get rid of gallstones naturally?
A: There are natural treatments available that may help you dissolve gallstones naturally, namely:
• Apple cider vinegar71, 72, 73 • Lemon juice74 • Organic and 100 percent pure psyllium husk75, 76 • Milk thistle77 • Pears78
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