Gallstones: Symptoms, Causes, Ayurvedic Treatment

Hardened deposits of digestive fluids result in the formation of gall bladder stones. The two most common types of gall bladder stones are one which are caused by cholesterol deposits and the other caused by excess bilirubin deposits [1]. These stones can be detected through simple diagnosis that involves an abdomen USG and a few blood tests. If the stones are smaller than usual, you may need to undergo a colonoscopy. In most cases, simple medications can help treat the gall bladder stone. However, if you have a tendency of developing gallstones, switching to a long-term treatment can prevent condition from getting worse. 

Read on to know about the signs of having stones inside your gall bladder and how you can treat the condition naturally, without undergoing surgery. 

Gall Bladder Stones Causes

Gallstone problems can arise for a variety of reasons, particularly in women.

• Consumption of contraceptive tablets, hormone replacement therapy for menopausal side effects, or pregnancy
• Fasting
• Gall bladder dysfunction
• High levels of cholesterol
• When the bile produced by the liver contains excessive cholesterol, gallstones may develop. This bile helps the liver and other digestive organs of the body work correctly by separating the cholesterol
• Bilirubin: Your liver produces bilirubin as it breaks down old red blood cells. Some illnesses, such as liver cirrhosis and specific blood problems, lead the liver to produce more bilirubin than it should. Gallstones and other serious diseases may result from this
• Bile: For your gallbladder to function properly, the bile must be expelled. When bile is released, the bile thickens and becomes too concentrated, which leads to the formation of stones
• Weight: Having a dysfunction that might result in the development of such gallstones can also be brought on by being overweight or underweight. In such circumstances, the gallstones diet can help

Symptoms of Gallstones

• Fever
• Having a yellowish tinge to your skin or eyes, which might signify jaundice
• Retching or feeling unwell
• Stools in a clay color
• Right upper quadrant stomach pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Other stomach disorders

The gall bladder, an organ with the shape of pear fruit, is located on the right side of your abdomen, under your liver. The size of a gall bladder stone can vary. It can be anywhere between the size of a small grain of sand and that of a golf ball [2]. In most cases, formation of these stones causes no signs or symptoms. However, you may experience a discomfort in case a gallstone gets stuck in your duct while coming out of the gall bladder, causing a blockage. When this happens, symptoms of gallstones become very prominent. 

The most common symptom in this case is chronic ache in the right side of abdomen. In certain cases, the pain will be in the center of your abdomen, under the breastbone. Sever back pain or pain in the right shoulder, leading to vomiting or nausea can be the other prominent symptoms of gallstones. It is not tough to recognize the symptoms of these stones and once prominent, it is always good to get medical assistance. 

How to Treat Gallstones Without Surgery?

Surgery is not always the ultimate answer to treating gallstones. In most cases, you can treat the condition naturally if it is detected on time, and the symptoms are not too out of hand. 

Acupuncture has been found to be effective in gall bladder treatment in most cases [3], as it soothes the body and relieves it of chronic pains. This followed with certain yoga poses will help relieve you of stomachache, irritation, and nausea. 

Another significant natural remedy is castor oil packs. When you place the oil pack on your painful area, it usually generates a lot of heat internally to soothe your gall bladder muscles. 

Ayurvedic Treatment For Gall Bladder Stones

Instead of only treating the symptoms of gallstone problems, Ayurveda is a comprehensive medical approach that addresses the condition's underlying cause. Ayurvedic treatments not only address the symptoms but also enhance general health. The many Ayurvedic methods for removing gallstones include:

1. Diet

One of the most important ways to avoid gallstones is to eat a healthy diet. Consume a well-balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and stay away from items high in saturated fats. Nuts and seeds, which are high in fat, should only be eaten seldom.

2. Exercise

Regular exercise can assist you in maintaining a healthy weight. Running and swimming are cardio workouts that are beneficial for your heart and general wellness. Keep in mind that gallbladder stones are at increased risk due to obesity.

3. Maintain Control of Diabetes

If you have diabetes, watch your blood sugar levels. Gallstones may develop as a result of excessive blood fat levels brought on by high blood sugar.

4. Reduce Stress

Gallstone production can be caused directly or indirectly by stress. So, to effectively manage stress, practice relaxation techniques like meditation.

5. Ayurveda Herbs

In traditional ayurvedic medicine, a number of ayurvedic remedies for removing gallstones, such as cholagogues and choleretics, have been discovered to be effective in avoiding gallstones. Herbs called cholagogues can cause the gallbladder to constrict, whereas choleretics cause the liver to release more bile. Both of these activities may help lower the likelihood of gallstone development. Turmeric, citrus fruits, dried ginger, black pepper, long pepper, and other spices come under this category.

6. Table Salt Remedy

Take a teaspoon of Saindhava lavanam or conventional table salt in a glass of hot water before breakfast on an empty stomach. After consuming this, lie down on your right side for around 45 minutes. Perform this a couple of times per week.

7. Castor Oil

Cover the region around the gallbladder with a castor oil pack.

8. Therapeutic Techniques

Some of the ayurvedic therapeutic techniques that are typically prescribed as part of gallbladder stone removal therapy include apatarpana (fasting), langhana (light diet), and virechana (mild purgation).

9. Ayurvedic Remedies

Various Ayurveda treatments are used to dissolve gallbladder stones, and certain particular ayurvedic treatments, such as Shankavati, Sootasekar ras, Pravaalpanchaamrit, Hingwaashtak choorna, Avipattikar choorna, etc., are typically recommended. The severity of the gallstone disease determines the length of the ayurvedic treatment and the dosage of these ayurvedic medications. You can speak with an Ayurveda about any particular issues you may have.

The benefit of ayurveda in our daily life cannot be ignored and if you can follow its principles of properly, you will start noticing changes very rapidly. In ayurveda, gallstones are denoted as Pittashmari. Here, Pitta stands for imbalanced Pitta dosha of bile and Ashmari stands for stones. 

When undergoing ayurvedic treatment for gall bladder stone, it is important to understand the relevance of doshas such as Kapha, Pitta, and Vata, and how these play a vital role in forming gallstones. Usually, too much Pitta secretion creates stone in the gallbladder. On the other hand, spike in Kapha, caused by the intake of fatty, heavy food, can further induce the stone formation. 

The gallbladder stone remedy in ayurveda is quite simple and follows the herbal path. You can include herbs like turmeric, kalonji, and more in your daily diet to help prevent gall bladder stone formations. 

However, to know which herbs suit you, how to consume them, and in what quantity, it is always better to consult an expert. Now, you can easily book an online doctor consultation on Bajaj Finserv Health. You can address your concerns about gall bladder stones with help from a specialist in just a click. Thus, you need not step out and can avail treatment from the comfort of your home.