What is Gallstone?
To begin with, the gallbladder plays an important role in storing and releasing digestive fluids into the digestive system. This digestive fluid is known as bile. Bile, on the other hand, ensures that the fat in foods transported to the intestine is broken down efficiently. Coupled with this, vitamins and minerals from foods get absorbed easily into the body through the help of bile. Gallstones set in when the gallbladder cannot store and release bile to carry out these functions.
Gallstones result from the accumulation of tiny solid particles in the gallbladder. Although these particles are tiny, they come with excruciating pain and inflammation, leaving people with no choice but to opt for surgical removal to get rid of the stones faster. However, this pain might seem unbearable, but adopting natural remedies for treating gallstones is better. This is because they come with no side effects, unlike inflammatory drugs administered to treat gallstone pain.
However, some of the inflammatory drugs administered to alleviate gallstone pain cause severe side effects in the long run. Although, it is advisable to confer with a doctor before adopting natural methods to treat gallstones. This will help determine how severe your condition is and whether or not it can or should be treated at home.
Studies have shown that about 10% to 20% of adults suffer from gallstones, and some will not even know they have it until it gets worse. This is because the symptoms of gallstone, in most cases, do not manifest until the condition worsens. Gallstone pain begins with pain in the top right corner of the abdomen, where the gall bladder is located. Other symptoms may begin to set in as the condition gets worse.
Types of Gallstones
According to research, there are 2 types of gallstones, and they include;
- Pigment gallstones are caused by an excessive build-up of bilirubin in the gallbladder. Bilirubin is a compound associated with the red blood cells
- Cholesterol gallstones; which is caused by an accumulation of cholesterol in the gall bladder
Causes of Gallstones
Apart from the excess cholesterol and bilirubin build-up in the gallbladder, other causes of gallstones include;
- Gallbladder tumor
- Gall bladder surgery
- Bile duct infection
- Sensitive bile duct
- Pancreatic disorder
Symptoms of Gallstone
Although gallstone does not show any symptoms at the onset, this is why most people with gallstones do not know that they have it. Symptoms begin to occur when the condition worsens, which is why most gallstone cases end up in the theatre. The following are classic symptoms of gallstones;
- Pain in the top right corner of the abdomen
- Pain in-between the shoulders
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Dark urine
- Jaundice
- Dark stool
Risk Factors of Gallstones
- Age: People aged 40 and above have a higher risk of having gallstones
- Sex: Women are more likely to suffer from gallstones than men
- Overweight and obesity
- Fertility; estrogen contributes largely to the accumulation of gallstones
- Severe health conditions like diabetes, food allergies and sensitivity, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Natural Remedies for Gallstones
Healthy Diet
Keeping a healthy diet routine can go a long way in preventing and treating gallstones. For instance, foods with excessive fat, sugar, and cholesterol can trigger gallstones faster. However, when your diet is laced with fiber-rich foods, not only will it boost your gallbladder health, but it will also improve your general wellbeing.
Foods that are rich in fiber are good for easy and smooth digestion. They help eliminate digestive issues and ensure the easy movement of the bowels, thus improving gut health. Since the gallbladder and the bile that it produces are part of the digestion process, fiber can help improve its functions.
Exercises
Engaging in physical activities can help in the regulation of weight and the elimination of excess cholesterol in the body. Since overweight and excess cholesterol have been proven to be factors that trigger gallstone accumulation, adopting measures to eliminate these risk factors will help both in the prevention and treatment of the condition.
Experts have recommended about 100 to 180 minutes of walking per week. This will help in weight management. Nonetheless, it is most reasonable to talk to your doctor about your exercise routine before adopting it to avoid stressing your abdomen, as some physical activities can be strenuous to your abdomen, aggravating your gallstone pain. While using other natural remedies, it is important to still follow a healthy diet and exercise routine.
Gallbladder Cleanse
Cleansing the gallbladder is one of the most effective ways of flushing out gallstones, and the best way to flush out these stones is by drinking natural juices like healthy herbs and apple juice for up to 5 days. This speeds up the flushing process and helps to bring quick relief to the pain.
However, a gallbladder cleanse might not be advisable for people who are diabetic, as most natural drinks contain natural sugars that can be dangerous for people with blood sugar conditions. It is best to speak with your doctor first before using these natural juices to flush out your gallstones. This will help you determine if your health permits you to use the cleansers or not.
Drink Black Radish Juice
Black radish is packed with properties that are effective in preventing the accumulation of cholesterol in the body, especially in the gall bladder. In other words, it helps both in the prevention and treatment of gallstones.
In addition, it is an effective remedy for liver fat. All you ought to do is blend some radishes with honey and water. Sieve out the chaff and drink the juice 2 times daily. If gallstone pain persists after 3 days of drinking radish juice, you should visit the hospital for a proper medical check-up and treatment.
Turmeric and Honey
A combination of turmeric and honey has proven to be effective in treating gallstone pain. This is because turmeric has a wealth of anti-inflammatory properties that eliminate the pain associated with gallstones. In addition, drinking turmeric juice with honey daily can help prevent gallstones by up to 78%.
Studies carried out on women aged 55 and above use drank turmeric juice with honey regularly for 2 years showed that they had no gallstone issues, and those who already had gallstones but also drank the juice reported an improvement in their symptoms. Drinking turmeric juice with honey will help keep gallstones at bay. Slice up and blend some turmeric with water and add 2 tablespoons of honey to the turmeric juice and drink it regularly.
Beets
Beet is a natural herb that is a good source of plant-based amino acids. This property in beet is an effective remedy for clearing the bile duct and getting rid of any clusters or accumulation of particles in the bike duct. When the bile duct is clear and carries out its function properly, gallstones become history.
It also contains properties that can help boost liver function by detoxifying the body. What’s more? You can either use beet leaves or roots to this effect. However, the roots have proven to be more effective in protecting the gallbladder.
Apple Cider Vinegar
According to research, apple cider vinegar improves gallstone condition by softening the particles in the gall bladder, thereby making the particles easy to flush out. This is why apple cider vinegar is mostly used for gallbladder cleansing. Using apple cider vinegar alone to this effect can be effective.
However, mixing apple cider vinegar with natural apple juice will get rid of the gall particles even faster. Apart from improving your gallstone condition, it also adds other health benefits to the body. Apple cider vinegar is available in many stores. Ensure that the brand of apple cider you are getting is 100% natural with no additives.
Conclusion
Gallstones pain can be debilitating. It begins at the top right corner of the abdomen and spreads towards the shoulder and chest regions. It comes hand in hand with fever and nausea. However, before opting for surgical removal, speak to your doctor first about the possibilities of treatment using natural remedies.
These remedies come with no side effects and are effective at reducing the pain and flushing out the stones. The article emphasizes the need to eat right and also engage in physical exercises even while using other natural herbs and remedies for gallstone.
