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Gallbladder disease
Introduction:

The gallbladder is a sac located under the liver. It stores and concentrates
bile produced in the liver. Bile aids in the digestion of fats, and is released
from the gallbladder into the upper small intestine (duodenum) in
response to food (especially fats).

Types of gallbladder disease include:

• Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder)

• Cholelithiasis (gallstones)

You can have gallstones without any symptoms. However, if the stones
are large, they can block the duct that leads from the gallbladder. This
can cause pain and require treatment. At first they may block the duct
and move away, causing only occasional pain. Continuous blockage of the
duct, however, can be life threatening and requires surgical removal of
the gallbladder.

Signs and Symptoms:

• Pain, mostly on the upper right side of the abdomen

• Pain following meals, intolerance of fatty foods
• Nausea, vomiting
 • Loss of appetite

What Causes It?:

Inflammation causes a gallbladder attack. This usually happens because a

stone is blocking a passageway in the gallbladder. Gallstones develop in
the gallbladder when substances in bile form hard particles. They can be
as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball.

What to Expect at Your Provider's Office:

If you are having a gallbladder attack, you will feel tenderness when the
upper right side of your abdomen is touched. Jaundice (yellowing of the
skin) occurs when the bile duct (a tube between the liver and gallbladder)
is also blocked. If your health care provider thinks you have a gallstone,
you will probably need an ultrasound. During an ultrasound, sound waves
take pictures of your gallbladder. This test is painless and can be
performed quickly, which is important if you are in a lot of pain.

Treatment Options:

Gallbladders that cause pain are usually removed. There are no known
problems caused by living without a gallbladder. Doctors use a
laparoscope to perform most gallbladder surgeries today. This instrument
shows the surgeon pictures of your gallbladder as it is being removed.
The minimally invasive procedure allows for a smaller incision and a
shorter hospital stay than traditional surgery.

Some drugs can dissolve stones, avoiding the need for surgery. However,
it can take 2 years for a stone to dissolve, and gallstones often recur
later.

• An oral bile acid, ursodeoxycholic acid (Ursodiol), can dissolve

cholesterol stones that are quite small (less than 15 mm in diameter).
The drug is successful in about 40% of patients.
• Methyl tert-butyl ether and monooctanoin (Moctanin) are solvents
that are infused directly into the bile duct or the gallbladder to dissolve
stones.
• Doctors may use shock wave therapy (lithotripsy) to break up
stones.
Complementary and Alternative Therapies

You should see your provider for tests before you start any alternative
treatment. This will help determine the remedies that are right for the
size of your stone and your condition.

Nutrition and Supplements

These nutritional tips may help reduce symptoms:

• Eliminate suspected food allergens, such as dairy (milk,

cheese, and ice cream), wheat (gluten), soy, corn,
preservatives and chemical food additives. Eggs, especially,
may irritate the gallbladder (as well as being high in
cholesterol). Your health care provider may test you for food
allergies.
• Eat foods high in B-vitamins and iron, such as whole
grains (if no allergy), dark leafy greens (such as spinach and
kale), and sea vegetables.
• Eat antioxidant foods, including fruits (such as
blueberries, cherries, and tomatoes), and vegetables (such
as squash and bell pepper).
• Avoid refined foods, such as white breads, pastas, and
sugar.
• Eat fewer red meats and more lean meats, cold-water
fish, tofu (soy, if no allergy) or beans for protein.
• Eat more fiber. Consider fiber supplements, such as
flaxmeal (1 tsp. one to three times per day). Combine 1
heaping tsp. of flaxmeal in 8 oz. of apple juice for a drink
high in fiber and pectin.
• Use healthy cooking oils, such as olive oil or vegetable oil.
• Reduce or eliminate trans-fatty acids, found in
commercially baked goods such as cookies, crackers, cakes,
French fries, onion rings, donuts, processed foods, and
margarine.
• Avoid alcohol, and tobacco. Some evidence suggests that
people who drink caffeinated coffee have a lower risk of
gallstones, though study results are mixed. Talk to your
 doctor before increasing your caffeine intake, as caffeine can
affect several conditions and interact with medications.
• Exercise lightly, if possible, 5 days a week.

You may address nutritional deficiencies with the following

supplements:

• A multivitamin daily, containing the antioxidant vitamins

A, C, E, the B-complex vitamins, and trace minerals such as
magnesium, calcium, zinc and selenium.
• Vitamin C, 500 - 1,000 mg daily, as an antioxidant and for
immune support.
• Phosphatidylcholine, 300 - 2,000 mg daily, may help
dissolve gallstones.
• Alpha-lipoic acid, 25 - 50 mg twice daily, for antioxidant
support.
• Magnesium, 400 - 600 mg daily, for nutrient support.
• Taurine, 1.5 - 3 gm daily, for nutrient support.

Herbs

Herbs are generally a safe way to strengthen and tone the

body's systems. As with any therapy, you should work with
your health care provider to get your problem diagnosed before
starting any treatment. You may use herbs as dried extracts
(capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or
tinctures (alcohol extracts). People with a history of alcoholism
should not take tinctures. Unless otherwise indicated, teas
should be made with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep
covered 5 - 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 - 20 minutes
for roots. Drink two to four cups per day. You may use tinctures
singly or in combination as noted.

• Green tea (Camelia sinensis) standardized extract, 250 -

500 mg daily, for antioxidant effects. You may also prepare
teas from the leaf of this herb.
• Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) seed standardized
extract, 80 - 160 mg two to three times daily, for liver and
galbladder detoxification support.
 • Globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus) standardized extract,
250 - 500 mg two to three times daily, for support of
galbladder and liver function.
• Turmeric (Curcuma longa) standardized extract, 300 mg
three times daily for support of liver function.

Homeopathy

Few clinical studies have examined the effectiveness of specific

homeopathic remedies. However, a professional homeopath may
recommend one or more of the following treatments for menstrual pain
based on their knowledge and clinical experience. Before prescribing a
remedy, homeopaths take into account a person's constitutional type --
your physical, emotional, and intellectual makeup. An experienced
homeopath assesses all of these factors when determining the most
appropriate remedy for a particular individual.

Some of the most common remedies are listed below. A common dose is
three to five pellets of a 12X to 30C remedy every 1 - 4 hours until your
symptoms improve.

• Colocynthis for colicky abdominal pains that are lessened by

pressure or bending double
• Chelidonium for abdominal pain that moves to the right shoulder
area
• Lycopodium for abdominal pain that is worse with deep breaths

Physical Medicine

Castor oil pack. Apply oil to a clean, soft cloth and place on abdomen.
Cover with plastic wrap, place a heat source (hot water bottle or heating
pad) over the pack, and let sit for 30 - 60 minutes. For best results, use
for 3 consecutive days. Apply to abdomen, especially the gallbladder area,
to help reduce swelling.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture may be especially helpful in pain relief, reducing spasm, and

easing bile flow and proper liver and gallbladder function.

Following Up:
Early surgery usually ends symptoms and recurrence. Stones may appear
again in the bile duct, however.

Special Considerations:

If you have diabetes or are pregnant, you have a higher risk of

complications from gallbladder attacks. If you are pregnant, use
choleretic herbs with caution. Milk thistle and dandelion rootare safe in
pregnancy. Talk with your health care provider before you take any
medication or supplement.

• Reviewed last on: 2/12/2008

• Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD, private practice specializing in
complementary and alternative medicine, Phoenix, AZ. Review
provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by Ernest B.
Hawkins, MS, BSPharm, RPh, Health Education Resources.

Supporting Research

Cabrera C, Artacho R, Gimenez R. Beneficial effects of green tea -- a

review. J Am Coll Nutr. 2006;25(2):79-99.

Rai A, Tewari M, Mohapatra SC, Shukla HS. Correlation of nutritional

parameters of gallbladder cancer patients. J Surg Oncol. 2006;93(8):705-
8.

Shaffer EA. Gallstone disease: Epidemiology of gallbladder stone disease.

Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2006;20(6):981-96.

Tsai CJ, Leitzmann MF, Willett WC, Giovannucci EL. Long-Term Effect of
Magnesium Consumption on the Risk of Symptomatic Gallstone Disease
Among Men. Am J Gastroenterol. 2007; [Epub ahead of print].

Venneman NG, van Erpecum KJ. Gallstone disease: Primary and

secondary prevention. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol.
2006;20(6):1063-73.

Völzke H, Baumeister SE, Alte D, et al. Independent risk factors for

gallstone formation in a region with high cholelithiasis prevalence.
Digestion. 2005;71(2):97-105.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or
treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and
treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are
provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2010
A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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