Gallbladder is the organ in our body that stores the bile secreted by the liver, a digestive fluid. This yellow colored fluid plays an important role in digesting the fat content food. It is located below the liver and is shaped like a pear. When the substances in the bile like cholesterol and bilirubin harden they become stones known as gallstones.
Gallstones occur more commonly in women aged 20 to 60 than in men. Obese people are more likely get gallstones as the extra weight reduces the efficiency of the bladder to empty its contents. This leads to accumulation of the hardening of the substances within the bile. These stones may be tiny looking like the grains of sand or as big as a gold ball. There may be one big gallstone or many small stones and is detected through ultrasound test.
Who are susceptible to Gallstone?
Generally gallstones are found to occur in people in situations like those given below
- During pregnancy
- During the period of taking contraceptive pills
- During the course of hormone replacement therapy
- Gallstone also can occur in older and obese people.
- Persons suffering from small intestine disease
- Sometimes people who have lost weight recently may also have gallstones.
Symptoms Of Gallstones
- There may not be any symptoms for the presence of gallstones. There may be slight abdominal discomfort, gas, bloating, belching.
- Indigestion and intolerance to fatty foods
- Severe pain in the abdomen lasting for several hours or pain in the area between the shoulder blades or it can be felt under the right shoulder.
- Nausea and vomiting often occur along with gallstone attack.
- In rare cases there may be sweating, fever or skin turning yellow or eyes turning yellow may be seen. This condition requires immediate medical attention.
- Jaundice – yellowish eyes
- Fever
Ayurveda for Gallstones
According to Ayurveda gallstones occur due to kapha dosha that manifests as slowing down of metabolism and affecting the liver function. Kapha dosha is associated with the fluid secretion, heat distribution and cell structure in the body. Ayurvedic treatments are based on the concept that the three factors that cause imbalance of the three vital energies in the body known as doshas namely Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The treatments are decided according to the patient’s body constitution and severity of the condition. Aggravation in these three doshas affects the natural harmony in the individual's body.
Gallbladder is known as Pittashay in Ayurveda in which the digestive enzymes are stored. Due to incorrect dietary habits the digestive process is disturbed as vata and kapha are vitiated and stones are formed in the gallbladder in the formation and drying up of certain substances into stones.
Ayurvedic Treatment for Gallstones
Aroghavardhini Vati is a highly effective herbal medicine for the cure of gallstones. It reactivates the liver and boosts metabolism. Purification treatments like Panchakarma therapies like Virechan and basti are also useful in treating gallstones. The other medicines used in the treatment of gallstone are
- Avipattikar Churna
- Hingvaastak Churna
- Kumari asava
- Gokhshurasava
- Panchakola churna
- Pravaal panchaamrit
- Punarnava arishta
- Kamadhootha Rasa
People who are on a weight loss program can safely take Kanchanar Guggulu to avoid the risk of developing gallstones.