by THOMAS on Apr 30, 2012 • 8:00 pm
The gallbladder is a small organ located in the same quadrant as the liver on your right side under the rib cage. The function of the gallbladder is to secrete bile in response to fat entering the digestive tract from the stomach. Bile is essential for the complete emulsification and digestion of fat. Bile is produced by the liver and delivered to the gallbladder where it is concentrated. The gallbladder is essentially a muscle which contracts and squeezes bile into the duodenum where it combines with enzymes from the pancreas to allow for complete digestion and absorption of dietary fat. The most common problem that occurs in the gallbladder is thickening of the bile and the resultant formation of gallstones. The most common reason for this a diet that is low in fat and or the consumption of poor quality, rancid, or oxidized fats. Lack of stimulation of the gallbladder causes the bile to become thickened over time, which eventually causes it to solidify in the form of stones. The stones can become very problematic if they get lodged in the common bile duct. The result is a gallbladder attack, which can be very painful and often necessitates a visit to the emergency room and eventual surgery. Unfortunately, many of these gallbladder surgeries are performed unnecessarily. It is fairly easy to survive a gallbladder attack and just as easy to dissolve gallstones. I know because I have personally dissolved gallstones and have the before and after x-rays to prove it. Some of the more common symptoms associated with gallbladder problems include chronic pain between the shoulder blades, bitter taste in the mouth, especially after meals, stomach upset by greasy foods, greasy or shinny stools, light or clay colored stools, and nausea. Nausea is becoming much more common as a symptom since I first began to treat patients for gallbladder problems.
Treatment is aimed at thinning the bile and ultimately dissolving the gallstones. This is not a difficult protocol but requires commitment on the part of the patient and a very knowledgeable and dedicated practitioner. One is often able to resolve a gallbladder attack in minutes with this protocol. Patients often report relief from typical gallbladder symptoms within a few days but the long term program should continue 30 to 60 days with follow up imaging to ensure the stones are gone. Feel free to contact the clinic for additional information.