Gallstones are small stones, usually made of cholesterol, that form in the gallbladder. In most cases, they don’t cause any symptoms and don’t need to be treated.
However, if a gallstone becomes trapped in a duct (opening) inside the gallbladder it can trigger a sudden intense abdominal pain that usually lasts between 1 and 5 hours. This type of abdominal pain is known as biliary colic.
Some people with gallstones can also develop complications, such as inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis), which can cause:
persistent pain
jaundice
a fever
When gallstones cause symptoms or complications, it’s known as gallstone disease or cholelithiasis.
Most cases of gallstones don’t cause any symptoms. But if a gallstone blocks one of the bile ducts, it can cause sudden, severe abdominal pain, known as biliary colic.
Other symptoms may develop if the blockage is more severe or develops in another part of the digestive system.
Abdominal pain (biliary colic)
Gallstones can cause sudden, severe abdominal pain that usually lasts 1 to 5 hours (although it can sometimes last just a few minutes).
The pain can be felt:
-in the centre of your abdomen (tummy)
-just under the ribs on your right-hand side – it may spread from here to your side or shoulder blade
The pain is constant and isn’t relieved when you go to the toilet, pass wind, or are sick. It’s sometimes triggered by eating fatty foods, but may occur at any time of day and it may wake you up during the night.
Biliary colic doesn’t happen often. After an episode of pain, it may be several weeks or months before you experience another episode.
Some people also have periods where they sweat excessively and feel sick or vomit.
When gallstones cause episodes of biliary colic, it is known as ‘uncomplicated gallstone disease’.
Other symptoms
In a small number of people, gallstones can cause more serious problems if they obstruct the flow of bile for longer periods or move into other organs (such as the pancreas or small bowel).
If this happens, you may develop:
-a high temperature of 38C or above
-more persistent pain
-a rapid heartbeat
-yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
-itchy skin
-diarrhoea
-chills or shivering attacks
-confusion
-a loss of appetite
Doctors refer to this more severe condition as ‘complicated gallstone disease’.
Complications of gallstones
A small number of people with gallstones may develop serious problems if the gallstones cause a severe blockage or move into another part of the digestive system.
Inflammation of the gallbladder (acute cholecystitis)
In some cases of gallstone disease a bile duct can become permanently blocked, which can lead to a build-up of bile inside the gallbladder. This can cause the gallbladder to become infected and inflamed.
The medical term for inflammation of the gallbladder is acute cholecystitis. Symptoms include:
-pain in your upper abdomen that travels towards your shoulder blade (unlike biliary colic, the pain usually lasts longer than five hours)
-a high temperature (fever) of 38C or above
-a rapid heartbeat
An estimated 1 in 7 people with acute cholecystitis also experience jaundice (see below).
Sometimes a severe infection can lead to a gallbladder abscess (empyema of the gallbladder). Antibiotics alone don’t always treat these and they may need to be drained.
Occasionally a severely inflamed gallbladder can tear, leading to peritonitis (inflammation of the inside lining of the abdomen).
Jaundice
If a gallstone passes out of the gallbladder into the bile duct and blocks the flow of bile, jaundice occurs.
Symptoms of jaundice include:
-yellowing of the skin and eyes
-dark brown urine
-pale stools
-itching
Sometimes the stone passes from the bile duct on its own. If it doesn’t, the stone needs to be removed. See treating gallstones.
Infection of the bile ducts (acute cholangitis)
If the bile ducts become blocked, they’re vulnerable to infection by bacteria. The medical term for a bile duct infection is acute cholangitis.
Symptoms of acute cholangitis include:
-pain in your upper abdomen that travels towards your shoulder blade
a high temperature
-jaundice
-chills
-confusion
-itchy skin
-generally feeling unwell
Acute pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis may develop when a gallstone moves out of the gallbladder and blocks the opening (duct) of the pancreas, causing it to become inflamed.
The most common symptom of acute pancreatitis is a sudden severe dull pain in the centre of your upper abdomen, around the top of your stomach.
The pain of acute pancreatitis often gets steadily worse until it reaches a constant ache. The ache may travel from your abdomen and along your back and may feel worse after you have eaten. Leaning forward or curling into a ball may help to relieve the pain.
Other symptoms of acute pancreatitis can include:
-feeling sick
-being sick
-diarrhoea
-loss of appetite
-a high temperature (fever) of 38C or above
-tenderness of the abdomen
-less commonly, jaundice
Drink 1 capsule, once a day, each: Gallbladder Cleanser Blend and Weight Loss, once a day.
2 Tablespoons, MZN 150g 450g, once a day; swallow the MZN, as you would swallow yogurt, for 2 weeks.
Topically apply, 10 drops, once a day of the Liver Cleanse.
Do a detox by drinking 2 drops each; Lemon 5ml 10ml and Peppermint 5ml 10ml with the juice of half a lemon squeezed in hot water, every the morning.
Copyright © Hadassah Healing Oils 2022, All rights reserved • Powered by GoPeter Hosting
