In most cases, gallstones don’t cause symptoms for long periods, if ever. This is especially true if they remain in the gallbladder. It is when they obstruct the ducts that a person experiences pain, which tends to come and go. The pain may be sharp and intermittent, lasting up to several hours. Usually, the pain is in the right upper part of the abdomen, which may be tender. The pain may extend to the right shoulder blade. Nausea and vomiting are common. If infection develops with duct obstruction, fever, chills and jaundice may also occur. A persistent obstruction of the cystic duct causes the gallbladder to become inflamed, while gallstones that obstruct the pancreatic duct cause inflammation of the pancreas. Other symptoms associated with gallbladder disease include constant pain below the breastbone that shoots into the right or left shoulder area and radiates into the back, lasting from 30 minutes to several hours. Dark urine (coffee- or tea-colored), shaking, chills and jaundice are common. Gallbladder attacks are more common in the evening, and sometimes mimic a heart attack.
Often times, people mistake indigestion symptoms as being caused by gallstones. However, symptoms of belching, bloating, feeling of fullness in the abdomen and nausea are just as likely to be caused by peptic ulcer or indigestion as from gallstones. Pain in the upper right abdomen that occurs after eating fatty foods may be gallstones. Abdominal pain, jaundice, chills and fever often indicate gallstones in the bile duct.
Herbal Remedies for the Gallbladder Several herbs are beneficial for gallbladder health. Alfalfa cleanses the liver and supplies vitamins and minerals. The recommended amount is 1,000 mg. twice a day for two days, with a glass of warm water. Turmeric may reduce the risk of problems in people prone to develop gallstones. Dandelion, horsetail, ginger root and catnip may also be beneficial.
Natural Remedies for the Gallbladder *When an attack occurs, drink one tablespoon of apple cider in a glass of apple juice. If pain does not subside quickly, go to the emergency room to rule out heart or gastrointestinal disorders. Apple juice helps soften gallstones.
*For inflammation of the gallbladder, consume only distilled or spring water and eat no solid food for a few days. Then drink fresh pear, beet and apple juice for three days. Then add solid foods: shredded raw beets with two tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice and freshly made applesauce.
*For gallstones, take three tablespoons of olive oil with juice of one lemon before bed and upon arising. Stones are often passed and eliminated in stool with this technique. Grapefruit juice can also be used.
*For acute gallstone pain, try using hot castor oil packs. Heat (but don’t boil) castor oil in a pan. Dip a piece of cheesecloth into oil until saturated. Apply cloth to gallbladder area and cover with a piece of plastic larger than the cloth. Place heating pad over plastic to keep pack warm. Keep in place for one-half to two hours, as needed.
*Eat a diet consisting of 75 percent raw foods that includes applesauce, eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, broiled fish, fresh apples and beets.
Gallbladder Health Tips
*Avoid sugar, animal fat and meat, saturated fats, dairy products, fried foods, spicy foods, margarine, soft drinks, chocolate and refined carbohydrates.
*Do not overeat. Obesity and gallbladder problems are related.
*Rapid weight changes and yo-yo diets increase the risk of gallstones and need for surgery up to 70 percent.
*Physical activity can reduce gallstone risk by 20 to 40 percent.
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