All Natural Cures >> Gall Bladder Disorders

Gall Bladder Disorders

An organ of 10 cm long, 3-5 cm wide and is pear-shaped is the gall-bladder. It is attached to the lower surface of the liver on the right. Its primary function is to store the bile secreted by the liver. Bile is composed of bile salts and acids which are the main constituents and color pigments as well as cholesterol. It helps in the digestion and absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, minerals and calcium.

The main diseases afflicting the gall-bladder are cholecystitis which is an inflammatory condition and gall-stones. When the composition of bile is changed, gall-stones are formed. Change in the ratio of cholesterol to bile salts causes the deposits to be formed. Initially, these deposits may be in the form of gravel, which act as the nucleus for the further deposits, ultimately resulting in formation of the large stones. Also, when the lining of the gall-bladder is irritated, the stones are formed. Women, especially obese have a higher incidence of gall-stones than men.

Symptoms of Gallbladder Disorder

Acute or intermittent epigastric pain
Indigestion
Gas
Feeling of fullness after meals
Constipation
Nausea
Disturbed vision
Intolerance to fats
Dizziness
Jaundice
Anemia
Acne and other lesions
Varicose veins
Hemorrhoids
Breakdown of capillaries

Many old people with gall-bladder problems do not show any symptoms. But when the symptoms are present, they are the same as those present in the youth. Dyspepsia with intolerance to fats, attacks to cholecystitis or cases of obstructive jaundice are present when the stones enter the common bile duct.

Causes of Gall Bladder Disorders

Excessive consumption of refined carbohydrates, especially sugar. The refining process strips the fiber which acts as a natural barrier to energy intake. Besides the level of cholesterol secretion is far higher. Consumption of foods high in fats causes an attack of gall-bladder pain or gall-stone colic.
Chronic constipation
Poor health
Heredity
Stress
Spinal displacements
Wrong posture
Muscular tension
Anger as per Chinese philosophy

You can classify gall-stones into 3 types depending on the cause of formation. They are:

Cholesterol stones: Change in the ratio of cholesterol to bile salts
Pigment stones: Made of bile pigments caused by the destruction of the red blood cells when you are suffering from some blood diseases
Mixed stones: Stagnation of bile flow and comprise of layers of cholesterol, calcium and bile pigment and is the most common type.

Treatment for Gall Bladder Disorders

Surgery is the only option available if the stones are very large or very old. But dietary changes can certainly eliminate the smaller stones. Fast for 2-3 days or till the symptoms subside when there is an acute inflammation of the gall-bladder. Drink only water in this period. Then start on the fruit and vegetable juices for a few days. Your juices should consist of carrot, beet, grapefruit, pear, lemon or grapes.
Then start a well-balanced diet which should provide you the optimum amount of nutrition. This diet should be lacto-vegetarian with a heavy intake of raw and cooked vegetables, fresh fruits and vegetable juices and limited amount of fruits and seeds. Eat liberal amounts of pears as they have a specific healing effect on the gall-bladder. Take yogurt, cottage cheese and a tablespoon of olive oil 2 times a day. Oil stimulates the production of bile and lipase, which help in digestion of fat. Hence ensure that you include high quality vegetable diet in your diet.
Stay away from all meats, eggs, animal fats and processed and refined foods as well as fried foods. You should also exclude refined carbohydrates, especially sugar and its products, alcohol, soft drinks, cakes, puddings, ice cream, coffee and citrus fruits. Eat small meals frequently rather than few large meals.
Combining the fresh juice of beet with the juices of carrot and cucumber is an ideal cleansing material for the gall-bladder. You can treat all the disorders of this organ with this combination.
Pear is one of the most beneficial fruits in the treatment of gall-bladder problems. Consume the fruit or its juice in copious amounts for the benefit, as it exerts the special healing effect in these conditions including the gall-stones.
Make a decoction of the flowers, seeds and roots of chicory or endive plant to treat these problems. Take 30-60 ml of this decoction 3 times a day to get beneficial results. Endive or chicory juice in any combination stimulates the secretion of bile and hence is very good for both liver and gall-bladder problems.
Oil cure has been recommended in the removal of gall-stones. Use only the raw, natural, unrefined oils of olive or sunflower seeds. Take an ounce of this oil as soon as you get up and then follow it immediately with 4 ounces of lemon juice or grapefruit juice. This treatment should be undertaken for 7 days or even a few weeks if necessary.
Applying hot packs or fomentation to the upper abdominal area will relieve the pain of gall-stone colic. Warm water enema at the body temperature will eliminate the waste matter if you are suffering from constipation. Taking exercise will also be useful.