Gall bladder calculus may be pigment stone or cholesterol stone. Usually mixed varieties are seen.
Certain dietary factors said to play a role in the development of gall stones. Foods rich in cholesterol, fat, fewer dietary fibers, etc. are the factors. However, moderate intake of alcohol does not form gall stones.
Risk factors for the development of gall stones.
Old age
Obesity
Pregnancy
Female gender
Fasting
Clinical features
10% of the individuals with gall stones produce symptoms. Majority are symptoms free.
Symptoms include
Pain-Biliary colic
There is a sudden onset of pain, and pain extends for 2 to 3 hours. If it occurs, more than six-hour complications such as pancreatitis or cholecystitis may be present.
Pain may be felt either in the pit of stomach or right upper quadrant and radiate to either to tip of right scapula or in between the scapular region.
Along with pain, there may be fat intolerance, loss of appetite and flatulence.
Complications of gall stones
Cholecystitis-the stone the gall bladder may cause inflammation of the gall bladder.
Jaundice-If the stone blocks the common bile duct. The flow of bile duct is obstructed, which result in jaundice.
Pancreatitis-Blockage of the pancreatic duct results in inflammation of the pancreas.
Investigations
X ray abdomen
USG
CT scan
Treatment
Small and medium-sized stone can be managed by homeopathic remedies. But lager stones and multiple stones and impacted stones usually surgery is the treatment of choice. However, pain and inflammation of gall bladder –cholecystitis-can be managed homeopathic medicines. Small-sized stones can be expelled by homeopathic medicines like Lycopodium, Fell tauri, Kalmegh, China, etc. medium sized stone be reduced to small by homeopathic medicines and can make it symptoms free as seen in clinical practice. Care should be taken in mobile (moving) stones because there is a chance of the blocking the neck of gallbladder and thus causing the stasis of bile, which results in jaundice. If so also think of surgery.
Generally in clinical practice, gall stone colic and cholecystitis can be managed by homeopathic medicines.
