GALLSTONES -- 1 ( Cholelithiasis )

From: Helen Dynda (olddad66@runestone.net)
Sun Mar 4 15:48:44 2001


[] GALLSTONES-1 (Cholelithiasis)

http://pathlights.com/nr_encyclopedia/05gast07.htm

SYMPTOMS-Bloating, gas, and discomfort or indigestion after a heavy meal of rich, fatty food.

When a gallstone passes ( a "gallbladder attack" ), the pain can be very severe and last a few seconds or minutes, and recur frequently for hours or days. Chills and fever may accompany the attack. The symptoms often occur after the person has eaten fried or fatty foods.

CAUSES-Gallstones may form in the gallbladder or ( more rarely ) in the bile ducts of the liver. They may form in the gallbladder as a result of infection or inflammation of the gallbladder wall.

They occur more often in women than men, more often women who have given birth to children, especially several of them. They are more frequent in obese women, and occur more often after the age of 40. In the United States, about 10-20% of the population have gallstones.

Persons with diabetes, migraines, cancer of the gallbladder, cirrhosis, and pancreatitis are more likely to have gallstones.

Gallstones are formed from bile, a brown digestive fluid produced by the liver. Cholesterol ( a blood protein ) combines with the bile to form stones. But they do not look like regular "stones." Whereas kidney stones are sharp and crystalline, gallstones are smooth, soft, and gelatinous. They feel like dense fat. Often persons with them have no symptoms.

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[] TREATMENT

* Go on a liver flush ( see below )

To relieve pain, give a 15 minutes hot fomentation over the gallbladder area, followed by an ice rub. Repeat the process 3 times. This will reduce the swelling, inflammation, and pain.

* If you can avoid doing so, do not have an operation on your gallbladder. What they do is take out your gallbladder, and you really need it.

* Recent studies at the University of Pittsburg found that removing the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) doubled the risk of colon cancer.

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[] PREVENTING GALLSTONES-Here are several points to keep in mind:

It is an interesting fact that people who do not eat meat, dairy products, or eggs rarely have gallstone attacks. It is animal fat which tends to form gallstones.

Drinking water helps prevent gallstone formation. It has been discovered that those with gallstones drink little water.

Drinking a pint of water causes the gallbladder to empty about 10-20 minutes later. This is the ongoing way to keep the gallbladder cleaned out and in fairly good condition; that is, if you do not eat any fats of animal origin.

Lack of exercise increases the likelihood of gallstone formation. Cholesterol is excreted more rapidly by the liver and bladder with more exercise. The truth is that everything works better when you exercise regularly.

Do not overeat. This is very important.

Do not eat processed, fried, sugared, spicy, or junk foods.

Do not use alcohol, caffeine, or tobacco.

Keep your weight down. Overweight women over 40 who have had several children have the most gallstones.

Oral contraceptives ( and other drugs containing estrogen ) increase cholesterol saturation of bile.

Eating eggs greatly increases the likelihood of stone formation. A diet low in vitamin C also does.

Eating lots of refined carbohydrates increase stone formation. Not including enough fiber in the diet does also.

Taking 2 tbsp. of lecithin each day immediately results in increased phospholipid concentration in the bile. This directly lowers and disperses gallstones.

Animal protein in the diet increases stone formation; vegetable protein tends to reduce the size of the stones.

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[] LIVER FLUSH

http://pathlights.com/nr_encyclopedia/05gast06.htm#LIVER FLUSH


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