Gallstones

The gallbladder is a small organ located below the liver where bile is stored and concentrated. It is in the form of a sac and aids in food digestion. Gallstones vary in shape, size, composition, and density and are formed when cholesterol, calcium, and other particles get accumulated in the gallbladder.

Causes

Gallstones are mostly made up of cholesterol, calcium salts, and bilirubin. The causes of gallstones are not known exactly but there are few theories to support this:

1. High Cholesterol

A high content of cholesterol in your bile duct can cause yellow cholesterol stones. The gallstones can be formed if your liver accumulates more cholesterol than what the bile can dissolve.

2. Too much bilirubin in bile

Bilirubin is a yellow compound produced when the liver destroys old red blood cells. Few conditions like liver damage can produce more bilirubin. Gallstones are formed when the gallbladder cannot break down excess bilirubin. These stones are either dark brown or black.

3. Concentrated bile

The gallbladder has to empty out its bile for a healthy functioning. If not, the bile content can turn concentrated causing stones to form.

Other Causes

Poor diet

Losing weight rapidly

Pregnancy

Diabetes

Family history of gallstones

High triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood)

Lack of physical activity

Low HDL (good) cholesterol

Symptoms

Gallstones can cause pain in upper right abdomen. The gallbladder pain can start when one takes fried foods high in fat. You can experience few of the symptoms mentioned below:

Nausea

Vomiting

Dark urine

Clay-colored stools

Stomach pain

Burping

Diarrhea

Indigestion

Natural Cures :

Apple Cider Vinegar

Peppermint

Psyllium

Castor Oil

Artichoke Leaves

Rosemary

Salmon

Alfalfa