Biliary Colic and Gallstones
Though it is often described as colic pain, biliary colic is generally characterized by a steady ache in the upper right abdomen, beneath the rib cage. Sometimes these signs of colic and the resulting pain may migrate toward the right shoulder blade or come with nausea and vomiting. The pain colic can induce comes from a blockage in the gallbladder, which is caused by gallstones in approximately 80% of all patients with this malady.
Not everyone wants to go right into taking medication to alleviate the symptoms of colic. As with everything, there are some homeopathic, natural colic remedies to try for non-emergency situations. In some clinical studies, acupuncture has been known to help patients with biliary colic. Needles may be frightening to some, but it's more natural than other shots and this traditional Chinese medicine provides a longer-lasting analgesic effect in a shorter amount of time. A herbal cure for the colic pain, but not the underlying problem, is Belladonna, which is also known as deadly nightshade, and it relaxes the muscles, blocks nerve impulses and reduces gastric secretions. A food-based recommendation for flushing out the gallbladder is to take two teaspoons of Black Seed Oil for a few months to improve the efficiency of the liver and regulate bowel functions. Other people try two regular spoonfuls of hemp or olive oil, Lecithin granules, a half teaspoon of Turmeric powder, a lemon or lime each day or Chamomile tea. A naturally-induced gallbladder flush can be done by eating only organic green apples the day of the flush. Then at bed time, heating two-thirds of a cup of olive oil to body temperature and adding one-third cup of raw lemon juice. The sufferer should then sleep on his or her right side with the right leg tucked up. In the morning, the gallstone should be passed in the stool. However, if the stones are particularly large, more clinical help may be needed.
Gallstones are usually discovered by ultrasound or blood tests. For biliary colic, doctors usually encourage patients to eat less fat, exercise and take a pain medication as remedies for colic pain. For smaller gallstones, an expensive medication may dissolve them over time or a shock treatment known as Lithotripsy can break up the stones. Ibuprofen can help the pain during the attacks. If the gallstones are large or the pain is particularly severe, the gallbladder may need to be removed in a procedure known as a Cholecystectomy. Small incisions are made with a laparoscope and patients can leave the hospital the same day, with 90% suffering no further complications.
Some other ailments have similar symptoms to biliary colic, such as abdominal or liver abscess, inflammation of the pancreas, irritable bowel syndrome, appendicitis, cholangitis, gastric ulcers, perdicarditis, or other digestive troubles. In rare cases, biliary colic can point to cholecystitis, an inflammation of the gallbladder or a tumor that may be blocking the bile ducts, so sufferers should seek medical attention as soon as possible. |
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