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The main problems which afflict the
gall-bladder are an inflammatory condition known as
cholecystitis and gallstones. The inflammatory condition
often leads to cholelithiasis or gall-stones which are
usually caused by disturbances in the combination of the
bile. A change in the ratio of cholesterol and bile salts
may result in the formation of deposits.
The gall-bladder is a pear-shaped organ, ten cm. long and
three to five cm. wide. It lies on the under-surface of
the liver on the right side just under the lower margin
of the ribs. The function of the gall-bladder is to store
and concentrate the bile secreted by the liver and to
deliver it into the duodenum at appropriate times to
assist in the process of digestion. Bile is an excretion
composed mainly of bile salts and acids, colour pigments
and cholesterol. Bile assists in the digestion and
absorption of fats and the absorption of fat-soluble
vitamins A, D, E and K, minerals and calcium.
The gall-bladder is usually full and relaxed between
meals. During the process of digestion, when food reaches
the duodenum, a hormone called cholecystokinin begins to
be produced in the internal mucosa. When this hormone
reaches the gall - bladder through the blood stream, it
causes the gall-bladder to contract, thereby releasing
the bile concentrate into the duodenum via a common duct.
At the start, gall-stones may be in the form of fine
gravel. But these fine particles constitute the nucleus
for further deposits, ultimately leading to the formation
of larger stones. The incidence of gall-stones is five
times higher in females than in males, particularly in
the obese and over 40 years of age.Symptoms
The major
symptom of gall-bladder disease is acute or intermittent
epigastric pain. Indigestion , gas, a feeling of fullness
after meals, constipation, nausea and disturbed vision
are the other usual symptoms. Intolerance to fats,
dizziness, jaundice, anaemia, acne and other lesions may
also occur. Varicose veins, haemorrhoids and break-down
of capillaries are also disorders associated with
gall-bladder troubles.
Causes
The
association of gall-bladder disease with obesity together
with their reported rarity in primitive people, living on
simple diets, suggest that dietary factors play a major
role in the development of this disease. The main causes
of gall-bladder disorders is overnutrition caused by
refined carbohydrates, especially sugar as the loss of
fibre removes a natural barrier to energy intake. Over-
nutrition also leads to increased cholesterol secretion.
Meals rich in fats may cause an attack of gall-bladder
pain or gall-stone colic. Chronic constipation is a most
important predisposing factor. Poor health, hereditary
factors, stress, spinal displacements, bad posture and
muscular tension may also cause gall-bladder disorders.
The Chinese link the gall-bladder disorders with the
emotion of anger.
Types
of gall-stones
There are
three types of gall-stones, depending on the cause of
their formation. These are : cholesterol stones, caused
by the change in the ratio of cholesterol to bile salts ;
pigment stones, composed of bile pigment and caused by
the destruction of red blood cells due to certain blood
disease, and mixed stones consisting of layers of
cholesterol, calcium and bile pigment resulting from
stagnation of the bile flow. The third type is by far the
most common.
Dietetic
Cure
Surgery
becomes necessary if the gall-stones are very large or in
cases in which they have been present for long. Smaller
gall-stones, can, however, be cleared through dietetic
cure. In cases of acute gall-bladder inflammation, the
patient should fast for two or three days, until the
acute condition is cleared. Nothing but water should be
taken during the fast. After the fast, the patient should
take fruit and vegetable juices for few days. The juice
of carrots, beets, grape-fruits, pears, lemons or grapes
may be used.
After the juices, the patient should adopt a well-
balanced diet which should contain an adequate amount of
all the essential nutrients. Ideally, the diet should be
lacto-vegetarian, with emphasis on raw and cooked
vegetables, fruit and vegetables juices, and a moderate
amount of fruits and seeds. Pears should be eaten
generously as they have a specific healing effect on
gall-bladder. Yogurt, cottage cheese and a tablespoon of
olive oil twice a day should also be included in the
diet. Oil serves as a stimulant for the production of
bile and lipase, the fat digesting enzymes. High quality
vegetable oil in the diet also prevents gall-stone
formation.
The patient should eat frequent small meals rather than
three large meals. The following is the suggested menu
for those suffering from gall-bladder disorders :
Upon
arising : A glass of lukewarm water mixed
with lemon juice and honey or fresh fruit juice.
Breakfast
: Fresh fruit, one or two slices of whole
meals toast and a cup of skimmed powder milk.
Mid-morning
: Fresh fruit juice.
Lunch
: Vegetable
soup, a large salad consisting of vegetables in season
with dressing of lemon or vegetable oil. Fresh fruit for
dessert, if desired.
Dinner
: Vegetable
juice, one or two lightly cooked vegetables, baked
potato, brown or unpolished rice or whole wheat chappatis
and a glass of butter-milk.
Oil cure has been
advocated by some nature cure practitioners for the
removal of gall-stones. Raw, natural, unrefined vegetable
oils for example, olive or sunflower oil are used. The
procedure is to take one ounce of vegetable oil,
preferably olive oil, first thing in the morning and
follow it immediately with four ounces of grapefruit
juice or lemon juice. This treatment should be taken each
morning for several days, even weeks, if necessary.
The pain of gall-stone colic can be relieved by the
application of hot packs or fomentation to the upper
abdominal area. A warm water enema at body temperature
will help eliminate faecal accumulations if the patient
is constipated. Exercise is also essential.
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