The gallbladder is a small organ located just under the liver. The normal function of the gallbladder is to store the bile created in the liver until it is needed to aid the digestion of fats in the small intestine. When there is an over production of cholesterol in the bile that cannot be dissolved, gallstones can form. Gallstones can range in size, some being as small as a grain of sand, with others growing to roughly the size of a golf ball. People can develop one or several gallstones at a time.

Gallstones can remain in a person without any obvious symptoms. However, if the stones lodge in an internal duct, symptoms can appear quite rapidly. Symptoms that result from a blockage caused by gallstones include sudden, intense pain in the upper right abdomen, center abdomen, and/or shoulders. The pain can last anywhere between a few minutes to several hours. Individuals experiencing symptoms of gallstones should seek immediate medical attention if the pain becomes so bad that one cannot find a comfortable resting position, or if one develops a fever or yellowing of the skin. A diagnosis of gallstones is typically preceded by years of symptoms of indigestion. Being female, overweight, and over 40 years of age are all potential risk factors for developing gallstones. Some cholesterol-lowering medications can also cause gallstones. After treating the acute symptoms, your physician can then better address the underlying cause of the stones.

Self Help

You can help reduce your risk of developing gallstones by eating healthfully and practicing good self-care.

• Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity increases the risk of gallstones. For this reason, reducing the number of daily calories consumed may be the best option for those struggling with weight issues.
• Avoid  yo-yo dieting. Fad diets may hurt you more than help you. Losing weight at a rapid pace may increase your risk of developing gallstones. The Mayo Clinic recommends losing no more than 1-2 pounds (or 0.5 to 1 kilogram) per week.
• Eat regular meals. Skipping meals may increase your risk of developing gallstones. For this reason, it’s recommended to eat at regular intervals every day.
• Manage your cholesterol. Gallstones can develop from an overproduction of cholesterol. This cholesterol is unable to be dissolved, causing blockages and painful symptoms. You can better manage your cholesterol through a healthy diet, exercise, and advice from your health care practitioner.

Western Treatments

Western treatments for gallstones range in scope from minor to extremely invasive. As always, the treatment plan that is followed depends on the severity and progression of the illness. There are a variety of ways that your doctor can test for gallstones. Blood tests may reveal some of the complications caused by gallstones (such as infection or pancreatitis), while a CT scan and/or an ultrasound may allow your doctor to view the obstruction better. There are also tests that can be done to assess the functionality of your bile ducts. These tests include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), or a hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan.

While surgery is the most extreme medical intervention taken for individuals with gallstones, there are medications that your doctor can prescribe that may help dissolve the stones for easier passage. As always, these medications carry the risk of side effects.

A Case Study in TCM Treatment

An overweight, 40-year-old woman informed her physician of radiating pain in the upper abdomen, prompting him to conduct an ultrasound. The determination was that she had eight gallstones, averaging about four millimeters each. When examined, it was found that her pulse was a bit wiry, and her tongue had a yellowish coating. She was given a combination of two herbal mixtures and within four month reported that the stones had all reduced in size by approximately 50 percent.

The first mixture included curcuma tuber, corydalis rhizome, taraxacum herb, melia fruit, ji nei jin, and salvia root. The second mixture contained eclipta herb concentrate, milk thistle 80% extract, curcuma tuber, salvia root, lycium fruit, ligustrum fruit, bupleurum root, and schizandra fruit.