Gallstones are round substances that are found in the gallbladder. It is either cholesterol stones or pigment stones. Gallstones come in three sizes which are small, medium and large.




The small can be as small as a pebble but a large can be as big as a golf ball. Gallstones are more commonly seen in women than men. Gallstones are formed when excess bile is stored in the gallbladder.




To truly understand this condition and be able to effectively treat it, it is necessary for you to have some understanding of the organ that is affected. Gallstones, as the name suggests, occur in the gallbladder. The gallbladder, which is a small sac like organ is situated in the upper right region of the abdomen just beneath the liver. This organ plays an important role in the digestive process. The liver produces bile that is essential for the proper digestion of fats. Bile contains several substances like bilirubin and cholesterol. Bile, although produced in the liver is not stored there. The gallbladder acts as the storage unit for bile produced in the liver and it only releases it as and when needed. When we eat foods, particularly foods that are high in fats and cholesterol, the gallbladder contracts to release bile for digestion into the small intestine.

Bile is an acidic fluid which is secreted by the liver. The treatment for gallstones could be tiresome and may require hospitalization.  

Gallstones can be of two types, with cholesterol stones being the most common, followed by bilirubin stones. Cholesterol stones are particularly common with more than 3/4ths of those suffering gallstones having this kind of gallstones. Pigment stones are the other type of gallstones that can occur and these are caused by excessive levels of bilirubin in the bile. As mentioned earlier gallstones can vary greatly in size, from grain size, to the size of golf balls. There could be a presence of multiple small gallstones, or a single large gallstone. The presence of symptoms and the type of symptoms would quite naturally depends on the size of the gallstone.

Very often gallstone symptoms may not even be present and the patient may experience no problems at all from the presence of gallstones. Generally multiple gallstones or large gallstones are likely to cause pain and other gallstone symptoms, particularly when you consume foods that are high in fat and therefore require bile for digestion. Gallstone symptoms will also be noticeable if the gallstones move out of the gallbladder.

Gallstone symptoms should not be ignored as a blockage caused by gallstones can cause complications. Blockages can occur in the ducts connecting to the liver or pancreas to the intestine. Blockages can cause a trapping of bile or digestive enzymes, resulting in inflammation and severe pain. There may also be organ damage and the development of infections. If ignored or neglected this can even prove to be fatal.

Obesity is considered to be the main reason for the formation of gallstones. Being overweight puts you at serious risk of developing gallstones. High fat diets are also a risk factor, which is why it is important that you watch your weight and follow a healthy diet and stay physically active.
Gallstones do not always require intensive or invasive treatments and surgery and natural treatment for gallstones with dietary measures and lifestyle modifications can suffice at times. In such cases the gallstones may be flushed out naturally, with the need for gallstone treatment or gallstone surgery only arising in the event of any complications or serious symptoms developing.

Consumption of foods containing excess amounts fat, cholesterol and other harmful substances get accumulated in the liver and are released as bile. Another reason for the formation of gallstones is age. People over the age of 60 are usually affected with gallstones. The reason why the condition is common among women is because women tend to go through multiple pregnancies, menopause, a rapid rise and fall of weight and of course, obesity. Some of the general symptoms of the condition include immense pain in the upper abdomen, pain while urination, nausea and many more. The pain might last a few seconds to a few minutes. Vomiting sensation and vertigo are also seen to be prevalent. Other physical symptoms include dark color urine, yellow skin and eyes and diarrhea. Gallstones treatment should be started as soon as possible.

The most distinctive symptom of gallstones is the appearance of what are known as gallstone attacks. This is basically a sudden onset of symptoms such as severe pain in the upper region of the abdomen. This may be accompanied by other symptoms like nausea and vomiting, or pain radiating from the back just between the shoulders, beneath the right shoulder. Typically gallstone attacks occur soon after the consumption of fatty meals, and very often at night. Bloating, fat intolerance, gas, colic belching and indigestion are some of the other common symptoms. These symptoms are however not specific to gallstones and could be indicative of a variety of other digestive conditions, which is why people often tend to ignore them. The only effective method of diagnosis is with a routine x-ray. Although in mild cases you can treat gallstones with natural treatments it is important that you make sure that you seek immediate medical attention if the symptoms worsen or if there is any fever, sweating, chills or if the skin or eyes seem to take a on a yellow hue.

In order to cure gallstones, drink plenty of fluids all throughout the day. At least three to four liters of water should be consumed on a daily basis. Coffee is supposed to break down the gallstones at a much faster pace. Avoid all kinds of food which contain high levels of cholesterol such as meat, junk food, fried food and eggs. These foods may create further problems. Exercising regularly is a must. It is very important to shed those extra pounds to remove the excess cholesterol and fat. A vegetarian diet is highly recommended in this case as it provides all the possible nutrients that are required by the body. The nutrients include iron, calcium, proteins and vitamins. Meals should be taken in small portions. The stomach should not be completely full as the digestion may take a longer time. Major portion of meals should consist of liquids.

In addition to increasing your intake of water and vegetables, while cutting down on your intake of animal fats it should be pointed out that the aim of these dietary modifications is to cut down on fat intake and increase fiber content in your diet. To this aim it would be a good idea to consume plenty of salads consisting of fresh fruits and raw vegetables. Fruits are rich in fiber and are extremely easy to digest. This basically means that there is less stress on your digestive system. Whole grains would make for another healthy addition to your diet. Avoid all junk foods and oily or fried foods.

In addition to changes to your diet it would also be wise to make changes to your routine and diet patterns, not just the foods. Instead of eating two large meals in your day, switch to smaller but more frequent meals, keeping them light. This puts less of a strain on your digestive system. Try and consume your last meal of the day at least two hours before going to bed and try and go for a short walk sometime after this meal. This will ease the digestive process and also reduce the risk of a gallstone attack interrupting your sleep.

There is a lot more detailed information on alternative treatment with natural herbal home remedies for gallstones and diet therapy, but it is important that you take your doctor into confidence before trying out any gallstones alternative treatments. It is important that you adhere to your doctor’s recommendations and only use these home remedies and gallbladder alternative treatments as complimentary treatment for the condition.  

Consuming fruit juices like apple juice for gallstones treatment are quite popular. Fruit juice diets are quite popular as part of natural treatment for gallstones, with fruits like lemon and strawberries being quite popular. Lemon juice and gallstones treatment are closely connected as people suffering from gallstones are often asked to drink lemon juice on a daily basis to help flush out their system. This treatment may even be recommended as a complementary treatment method as it can be used alongside other types of gall stones treatments.    

While alternative diet remedies for gallstones are generally quite safe and can be used as a complimentary treatment for gallstones, herbal treatments for gallstones, although very effective at times, should be treated with caution as certain herbs can interact with medications causing serious complications.

An alternative treatment for gallstones is to consume apple juice mixed with lemon juice. This drink should be consumed continuously for three days. On the third day, the gallstones will break down completely and pass out in urine. Homeopathy is also an effective method of getting rid of gallstones. Nux vomica, berberis vulagaris and lycopodium are extremely effective against gallstones. The doses should be taken after consulting a homeopathy doctor. Dandelion and rosemary are effective herbal remedies for gallstones. These two herbs should be added to your meals on a daily basis and you will notice a remarkable change in one to two weeks.

In case the condition worsens, it is highly recommended to consult a doctor as you might have to surgically remove the gallstones. The alternative treatment for gallstones is free from side effects and completely natural.