Biliary colic and calculi and Ayurvedic interventions - Dr. Sathyanarayana Dornala
Abstract: Gallstones are collections of solid material (predominantly crystals of cholesterol) in the gallbladder. The liver can secrete too much cholesterol, which is carried with bile to the gallbladder, where the excess cholesterol forms solid particles and accumulates. About 80% of people with gallstones do not have any symptoms for many years, if ever, particularly if the gallstones remain in the gallbladder. Gallstones may cause pain. Pain develops when the stones pass from the gallbladder into the cystic duct, common bile duct, or ampulla of Vater and block the duct. Then the gallbladder swells, causing pain called biliary colic. If gallstones cause disruptive, recurring episodes of pain, surgical removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) is only the option. Clinical experiences establish that Ayurvedic drugs along with dietary modification are an alternative to the surgical management of biliary calculi.