Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Non-surgical treatments
• Method 2 of 3: Exploring Alternative Therapies
• Method 3 of 3: Preventing gallstones

The liver produces bile, which helps the small intestine to digest fatty foods and absorb essential vitamins. Bile itself is stored in the gallbladder. However, it can be oversaturated with cholesterol, which will result in the formation of cholesterol gallstones. Women are more likely to form gallstones in the gallbladder than men because estrogen raises cholesterol in the bile. Obesity also contributes to the onset of the disease. Twenty percent of gallstones are "pigment stones", which are composed of calcium and bilirubin salts and are a byproduct of the breakdown of red blood cells. These types of gallstones are usually caused by liver disease, anemia, or an infection of the bile ducts. Laparoscopic surgery has made cholecystectomy (removal of the gallbladder) the most common treatment for gallstones, although non-surgical options are also available.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Non-surgical treatments

1. 1 Consider getting oral litholytic therapy. Your healthcare provider may prescribe you a course of ursodiol or chenodiol to dissolve gallstones without surgery. This method, roughly speaking, consists in taking bile acid in the form of tablets. Ursodiol, in particular, is a fairly popular treatment, being one of the most harmless commonly available drugs.
   • Oral litholytic therapy is suitable for resorption of small gallstones (less than 1.5 cm in diameter) with high cholesterol content. This method of treatment helps about 30% of people complaining of gallstones.
   • If you suffer from pigmented stones, you should look for other treatments.
   • The chances of success with this method are much lower for obese patients.
2. 2 Get shockwave therapy. This method is often used in conjunction with oral litholytic therapy, but as a result of the increased availability of laparoscopic surgery, shock wave therapy is now rarely used.The essence of this procedure, also called litropsia, is to shatter gallstones into smaller pieces using sound waves.
   • This method works best on stones that are less than 2 cm in diameter.
   • This method of treatment is quite rare and not available everywhere.
3. 3 You should understand that after undergoing non-surgical treatments, gallstones tend to reappear. Gallstones have again become a problem in most patients undergoing dissolution procedures. In this regard, these methods of treatment are no longer practiced. As a rule, they are used for patients who are physically unable to undergo surgery.

Method 2 of 3: Exploring Alternative Therapies

1. 1 Treat gallstones with plant terpenes. Clinical trials of a patented plant-based drug called Rovachol have shown encouraging results. A six-month course of treatment resulted in complete or partial dissolution of gallstones in 29% of the 27 test group.
   • Plant terpenes appear to enhance bile secretion and decrease cholesterol crystal production.
   • Rovachol also enhances the effectiveness of other soluble drugs.
2. 2 Consider clearing your gallbladder. Opinions differ as to the effectiveness of cleansing the gallbladder and liver. Despite sporadic success reports, there is no scientific evidence that these treatments have any positive results. Keep in mind that much of the "evidence" in your stool after you cleanse is not gallstones, but a byproduct of the treatment itself. With that said, there are some ways you can try:
   • Do not eat anything for 12 hours. Then, starting at 7:00 pm, drink 4 tablespoons of olive oil and one tablespoon of lemon juice. Repeat every 15 minutes until you have completed 8 rounds.
   • Alternatively, drink only apple or vegetable juice throughout the day. Then, at 17-18 hours, swallow 18 ml of olive oil and 9 ml of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Repeat every 15 minutes until you have consumed 230 ml of olive oil.
   • Cleansing the gallbladder is often accompanied by pain and diarrhea.
   • The next morning, your stool should be soft, green or brown spheres. Again, these will not be gallstones, but simply a byproduct of the treatment.
3. 3 Try your luck at acupuncture. While this treatment will not eliminate any gallstones you have, it can relieve spasms, improve bile flow, and restore proper liver and gallbladder function.
4. 4 Treat the symptoms of gallbladder disease with herbs and homeopathic remedies. It is worth noting that these medications will not solve the problem of gallstones, but under the supervision of a qualified professional, they can alleviate your symptoms, which will make it easier for you to tolerate the presence of stones in your body.
   • Green tea, milk thistle, artichoke and turmeric can help improve liver and gallbladder function. Before taking medicinal herbs, you should first consult your doctor. Misuse of these herbs can cause biliary colic or other unwanted side effects.
   • Homeopathic remedies for the treatment of gallstones include taking colocynth, celandine and lycopodium at an appropriate dosage. Each of these remedies treats different types of painful sensations in the gallbladder area, so this method of treatment should only be done under the guidance of a qualified homeopathic physician.

Method 3 of 3: Preventing gallstones

1. 1 Follow diets that have already been shown to be effective in combating gallstone formation. The following are a number of methods that people associate with reducing the incidence of gallbladder disease:
   • Eat polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats.
   • Eat enough fiber.
   • Consume caffeine daily.
   • Switch to vegetarian food.
   • Avoid excessive consumption of refined sugars like sucrose and fructose.
   • There is some anecdotal evidence that eating a lot of legumes can increase your risk of gallbladder disease.
   • Drink alcohol in moderation.
   • Consider adding 30 grams of peanuts or other nuts to your weekly diet. The effectiveness of this method has been confirmed by scientific research, especially for women.
   • Eat regularly. Don't skip meals.
2. 2 Take preventive nutritional supplements. Dietary supplements containing vitamin C, soy lecithin, and iron have been shown to be helpful in preventing the development of gallstones.
3. 3 Lose weight gradually and then maintain a healthy body weight. Rapid weight loss can increase the likelihood of gallstones. Although being overweight increases your risk of gallstone formation, try to slowly lower your risk factor by gradually losing weight. Tune in to a leisurely and even drop of 0.5-1 kilograms of weight per week.
4. 4 Get allergy tests and then eliminate allergenic foods from your diet. Identify and avoid foods that are causing you allergic reactions. This will reduce your risk of developing gallstones.