Gallstone is commonly termed in the medical world as Cholelithiasis. It is a condition in which there are stone formations in the gallbladder. It is four times more common in women, and commonly occurs between forty and fifty years old.

There are two types of gallstones. One is the cholesterol gallstone and the second one is the pigment gallstone. The risk factors for cholesterol cholelithiasis include obesity, increased in estrogen hormone, rapid weight loss, genetic predisposition, cholesterol-lowering drugs, and bile acid malabsorption during digestion. For pigment cholelithiasis, the risk factors include chronic liver disease, obstructions, and biliary infections.

The signs and symptoms of gallstones include an excruciating pain that can be usually felt on the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. This pain may radiate to the shoulders. There is also a sudden and intense pain that occurs while the gallbladder is contracting inside. In addition to pain, the person may also experience nausea and vomiting, jaundice or yellowing of the sclera and the skin due to obstruction and damage to the liver, and intolerance to fat containing food. The urine of the person with gallstones is dark orange in color and quite foamy in appearance while the stool is clay-colored. He will also experience pruritus or itching.

It is important that once the person is noted to be suffering from this disease, he should eat a low-fat diet to decrease gallbladder stimulation. He should also avoid alcohol and gas-forming foods. It is vital to have adequate bed rest, as well as to seek relief from vomiting. It is also advisable to increase oral fluid intake.

If the disease progresses to a worse state, it is advisable to consult a doctor for possible surgical and drug therapy to remove and/or dissolve the stones, in order to prevent further complications.

There are also alternative therapies that help dissolve the stones. These include drinking of apple juice or eating at least five pieces of apples everyday. In other countries, they utilized a method called “gallbladder flush” in order to remove the formed stones. This includes the consumption of apple juice, lemon juice, and olive oil.

If this disease is left untreated, the person can suffer a grave and fatal condition. So, it is still important to have a deep understanding of gallstones and its treatment.

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