How to Get Rid of Gallstones Without Surgery
Medically reviewed by David Hampton, MDMedically reviewed by David Hampton, MDGallstones are solid lumps that form in the gallbladder when stored bile crystallizes. They are pebble-like and can be the size of a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball.Most of the time, gallstones do not cause symptoms, and you don't necessarily need treatment. In some cases, they even pass out of the body naturally.Problems arise when gallstones block ducts from the gallbladder, liver, or pancreas. When that happens, you do need treatment. Surgical removal of the gallbladder is safe and effective. And certain lifestyle modifications may help lower the chances of developing more gallstones.
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Can You Pass Gallstones?It's possible to pass gallstones naturally. They can move through the gallbladder into the bile duct, after which they're called bile duct stones. They may continue through the duct to the intestines and out of the body with stool, though you might not notice them in the toilet.However, stones in the bile duct often get stuck, which can lead to serious problems, such as inflammation of the following:Gallbladder (acute cholecystitis)Pancreas (pancreatitis)Bile ducts in the liver (cholangitis)Even if you pass a stone, there may be more in the gallbladder.You may have heard that certain home treatments or diets can cleanse or flush gallstones out of your system. Examples are olive oil, lemon juice, herbs, Epsom salts, and a low-fat diet. But there's no scientific evidence that these methods work; some may be harmful.There's no proven way to make yourself pass gallstones, though there are methods to help prevent more from forming. Be sure to discuss gallstone cleanses and flushes with a healthcare provider.How Do They Dissolve?Although people sometimes pass gallstones, they don't dissolve on their own. Altering your diet may help lower the chances of developing more gallstones. But there's no diet known to dissolve existing gallstones.The two main types of gallstones are:Cholesterol stones, which form from hardened cholesterolPigment stones, which develop from bilirubin (the substance formed when blood cells are broken down)One medical option for cholesterol stones is oral dissolution therapy. This involves medicines that contain bile acids that can break up small stones. These include:Actigall and Urso (ursodiol)Chenix (chenodiol)These medications don't work on pigment stones. You must take them several times a day; it can take months to start working. You may need to stay on this therapy for as long as two years. Even then, gallstones can recur.How to Prevent Further BuildupThere's no sure way to prevent gallstones. But you can lower the odds of developing more by:Eating more foods high in fiber, along with healthy fatsEating fewer refined carbohydrates and less sugarGetting regular exerciseLosing weight if you're overweight or have obesityMaintaining a healthy weightA healthcare provider may prescribe oral dissolution therapy even if you don't currently have gallstones. They're generally prescribed for people who are overweight and experiencing rapid weight loss. They work by lowering cholesterol production and dissolving cholesterol in bile, which helps prevent cholesterol stones from forming.
Risk FactorsGallstones are more common in people assigned female at birth than those assigned male, and they increase with age. Other risk factors for developing gallstones are:Cirrhosis of the liver (liver scarring)Crohn's disease and other conditions that affect how you absorb nutrientsDiabetes (a rise in blood sugar or glucose)Diet high in calories and refined carbs and low in fiberHigh triglyceride levels (a type of fat in the blood)Infections in the bile ducts (which can also be due to gallstones)Insulin resistance (cells do not respond normally to insulin, causing blood sugar levels to rise)Low high-density lipoprotein HDL cholesterol ("good cholesterol)Metabolic syndrome (symptoms that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes)Obesity, especially in womenRapid weight lossSickle cell anemia and hemolytic anemias (blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be reproduced)
Surgery and Other Ways to Remove GallstonesYou need treatment only if gallstones are causing symptoms. About 25% of people diagnosed with gallstones each year will need treatment. There are several approaches to treating cholesterol stones, but pigment stones almost always require surgery.If you have recurring gallbladder attacks or complications, surgery to remove the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) is the most effective treatment. The liver also produces bile, so you don't need a gallbladder to live.The surgeon can remove the gallbladder laparoscopically in an outpatient procedure. But if the gallbladder is severely inflamed or infected, you may need open surgery, which involves a hospital stay and a more extended recovery period.Additional ProceduresEndoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a potential alternative to gallbladder removal. It's a combination of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and X-rays that can break up or remove cholesterol gallstones in the bile duct. Sometimes, the surgeon may insert a stent from the gallbladder to the first part of the intestine (duodenum).Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) uses high-energy sound waves to produce shock waves that disintegrate gallstones. This procedure is not used often and is generally reserved for those with a single stone less than 2 centimeters in diameter.Discuss the potential benefits and risks of each procedure with your healthcare provider.SummaryGallstones are pretty common. But they don't always lead to symptoms, and they don't always require treatment. Though a gallstone can pass through your body on its own, there are no proven methods to make that happen. And there are no cleanses or diets proven to dissolve gallstones.Large stones or stones that lodge in bile ducts can lead to serious problems. Medical treatments include surgery and medicines to break up small stones. Your options depend on the type, size, and number of stones.Dietary changes, regular exercise, and weight management are some of the ways to lower the chances of developing gallstones. Read the original article on Verywell Health.
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