Gallstones can be treated in a number of ways. Based on the severity of gallstones and other factors, doctors create a treatment plan that is suitable for your needs. This is one of those health conditions where surgical treatments are not mandatory. 

Lifestyle changes and medications are the top non-surgical treatment for gallstones. So, let’s dive deeper and learn more about the medication for gallstones that is most effective for patients. We will also be discussing natural remedies for gallbladder stones and how they can be used in treating gallstones without surgery. But first, let’s look at what the different surgical treatment options are for gallstones that doctors may recommend in some cases.

Surgical Treatments For Gallstones

Surgery is often the last resort in terms of treatment for gallstones. They are recommended in case of serious cases of gallstones or in cases where other types of treatments have not been very effective. Thanks to modern medical technology, today gallstones can be removed using minimally invasive procedures which make the surgeries less risky and offer faster recovery. Here is a detailed look at the surgical treatments offered for gallstones.

Open cholecystectomy

Open surgeries are generally recommended to patients in the most severe cases of gallstones. They are specially prescribed when the patient’s gallbladder is severely inflamed or bruised from other surgeries. An open cholecystectomy involves making a large incision in the body and operating directly inside the patient’s body. These surgeries have a longer recovery time and require mandatory hospital stay after the procedure. The recovery aside, there are certain risks to an open surgery, which include the risk of bleeding and infections that could end up being fatal if not managed properly.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Laparoscopic procedures are generally safer and have a quicker recovery compared to open surgery. However, these surgeries have certain limitations as they can’t be performed in certain cases where the gallbladder is extremely inflamed. In terms of procedure, laparoscopic surgeries do not require large incisions where the surgical tools are inserted into the body. These surgeries are done using specialized tools and high-tech robotic assistance in some cases to ensure the surgeries are very precise. The risk of damage to surrounding structures with laparoscopic surgeries is very low. The recovery period along with the mandatory hospital stay is also lower for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Medications Used For Treating Gallstones

Medications are used alongside natural remedies to create a non-invasive treatment plan for gallstones. Oral medications are the most commonly used to treat gallstones and their purpose is to help melt the gallstones. This type of treatment has its own benefits and disadvantages, however, it is the best option for patients who are not suitable for surgery.

Ursodiol is the type of medication that’s most commonly used for this purpose and it helps melt the gallstones over time. It is important to note that medications take a long time to clear gallstones and they also have to be taken for extended periods without break to stop resurgence. However, given medications are non-invasive, they don’t affect your quality of life and can even help patients get relief from their symptoms while continuing their normal life.

Natural Remedies For Treating Gallstones

Natural remedies are dietary and lifestyle changes that help treat the symptoms of gallstones while also working towards melting the stones away naturally. Even though the efficacy of natural remedies differs from patient to patient, they are safe and don’t have side effects in most cases. Here are some of the best natural remedies for treating gallstones.

Apple Juice and apple Cider Vinegar

Apple juice and apple cider vinegar are perhaps some of the most popular natural remedies for gallstones. Even though not much scientific data is present to back up the claims that they do in fact help patients pass gallstones, they are used widely for this purpose. Apple cider vinegar for that matter is the more popular option as it is now a part of most cleanses and other options that are gaining popularity in helping people pass gallstones. They may be helpful to you, however, you should consider speaking to your doctor before adding them to your diet as treatments.

Artichoke

Artichoke is available both as a supplement or you can prepare it in various ways and enjoy this food. It is believed to help stimulate bile and be good for your liver. For these reasons, it is considered to be an important natural remedy for passing gallstones. Artichoke can be a good addition to your diet in general, so there’s no harm in adding it to your diet. However, if you are interested in opting for the supplement form, you should first get clearance from your doctor.

Yoga

Yoga is said to have beneficial effects on gallstone patients, which could help them pass their gallstones naturally. As a healthy practice, yoga can help improve your quality of life and help with symptoms of stress. It could be a complementary therapy treatment that helps your medications work better for your body. So, if you are interested, yoga can be a valid natural remedy to help with the treatment of gallstones. However, there is limited evidence of success in yoga solely being to help pass gallstones.

Castor Oil Pack

Castor oil packs involve soaking warm clothes in castor oil and placing them over your abdomen. They are supposed to help melt the gallstones and allow them to pass. Castor oil packs can be used to help with gallstones, but they shouldn’t be used as a treatment alone given there’s no scientific evidence to suggest that they are effective.

Conclusion

There you have it, these are the various gallstone treatment options that are readily used on a regular basis. It should be noted that no treatment is perfect and each of the options has its own advantages and disadvantages. So, to help you choose the treatment option that best suits your condition and lifestyle, visit MASSH. We specialize in holistic medical care and will help you treat your conditions from the root causes be it with our highly specialized minimally invasive surgeries or our functional medicine. Check out our website or visit us today to learn more.