The gallbladder is a small sac of fluid filled with a substance called bile. Bile is a digestive enzyme used in the digestion of fats. Unfortunately, when bile becomes oversaturated with cholesterol or, more infrequently, calcium, the extra compounds may crystallize, forming gallstones. These stones range in sizes from a pea to the size of an egg. Most people with gallstones experience no symptoms and do not know they have it.

Gallstones become a problem when one of them becomes stuck in the bile duct – one of the tubes that allow bile to flow to the small intestines. When this occurs, you will experience extreme pain in the upper right abdomen followed by nausea, bloating, vomiting, or belching. If the pain subsides, it could mean that the stone fell back into the gallbladder or was forced into the small intestines. In very rear cases, an infection may occur resulting in jaundice, fever, or chills.

Each year around one million new cases of gallstone cases are diagnosed. In the United States there are approximately twenty-million people suffering with gallstones. In addition, more than three hundred-thousand people get their gallbladders removed each year due to gallstones.

Because bile is only secreted when fat is ingested, diet plays a major role in the development of gallstones. People who eat a lot of foods high in fats, proteins, or sugar are more prone to stones. High cholesterol is also a catalyst to getting stones, along with food allergies and rapid weight loss.

Women with children who are obese and over 40 are more likely to suffer from gallstones. Additionally, every time a woman becomes pregnant her chances increase because pregnancy upsets the balance between cholesterol and bile acids.

Doctors prefer surgery to drug or natural treatments for gallstones. The complete removal of the gallbladder is the usual surgical procedure. Unlike many years ago, a new laser surgery method and a small incision allows for faster recovery time. A new treatment also available is called lithotripsy; it uses sonic shock waves to break up the stones.

The gallbladder and the liver work together in unison to aid in the digestion of fats. Therefore, herbs and foods that help the liver will also benefit the gallbladder with the prevention and removal of gallstones.