Pebble-like deposits that are hard and are in crystalline form, that forms within the gallbladder are gallstones. Here are the popular myths about gallstones along with the facts respectively.
You will not get gallstones if you remove your gallbladder
The gallbladder is located in the concavity of the liver and its main function is to store bile that is produced by the liver which aids in digestion. The gallstones in the gallbladder are cholesterol-based and non-calcified. However, removal of this so called ‘useless’ organ does not resolve the problem of stone formation as each internal organ has a purpose which is crucial to our body function. Likewise, the removal of the gallbladder could lead to an increase in the generation of gallstones in the liver bile ducts that can result in other side effect like acid reflux, indigestion and ulcers. Therefore, it is pertinent to note that gallstones will form wherever bile is present and the removal of the gallbladder may not be the solution to gallstones.
The gallbladder is a useless organThe gallbladder is not useless as each organ has been entrusted with a specific function. The absence of the gall bladder in your body can increase the bile flow which would result in the reduction of bile that is being pumped by the gallbladder for aiding the digestion process. This can also increase the accumulation of toxic waste within the intestinal tract and can also adversely impact the lymphatic system. Hence, the immediate decision of removing the gallbladder without analyzing alternative methods of saving it, can actually prove to be detrimental on the health front. Therefore, you should not opt for removal of gallbladder if you do not experience extreme symptoms in order to avoid the complications of surgery and the fact that you do not require it at the moment.There are special flushes that can remove gallstones without any surgeryThere are a lot of websites that are providing flush concoctions for detoxifying the gallbladder and removing the stones in a natural way without the need for surgery. The liver flush involves drinking a considerable quantity of oil, like olive oil, which would eventually lead to a large production of bile. The bile would then exit the gallbladder when the oil progresses from the stomach to the duodenum presumably carrying some gallstones out of the system.Gallstones can only be removed through surgeryGallstones can sometimes cause excruciating pain, however, there are many patients suffering from gallstones who actually do not experience this symptom at all. For cholesterol-based gallstones you could, with the advise of your doctor, go in for medication such as ursodial or chenodiol to dissolve these gallstones. The process might take even years, however, there is no guarantee that the stones will not form again after discontinuing the drug. However, following a healthy lifestyle and keeping cholesterol in check would be beneficial to keep gallstones under control.Gallstones left untreated won’t cause you any harmOnce you are diagnosed with gallstones, then you must not leave them untreated. Ignoring gallstones can lead to further implications like cholecystitis (the gall bladder getting infected which can affect other internal organs), pancreatitis (the inflammation of the pancreas which can get fatal), sepsis (infection spreading to the blood which can result in death), fistula (an opening in the gall bladder leading to leakage of bile into other body organs), ileus (blockage of the flow of gas, food and liquid in the small intestine) and even cancer.If you have had gallstones then you will have to avoid fatty food for goodRemoval of gall bladder due to gallstones does not mean that you will have to give up on certain fatty foods. Everyone must exercise caution and follow a healthy lifestyle after any kind of surgery including gall bladder removal. It is important to have a balanced meal and you should not rule out the presence of fats as they are equally essential, but they must be had in moderation. A well balanced and wholesome diet will ensure that you do not suffer from indigestion, as the lack of bile due to gall bladder removal usually results in problems digesting food.If you have your gallbladder surgically removed then there will be scarring at the site
Gall bladder can be surgically removed through a non-invasive surgery option called laparoscopy which required only four minor cuts in the abdominal area. The gall bladder is then removed through a narrow cannula. This procedure results in lesser pain post-operation and a relatively faster recovery time. This process does not lead to evident scarring at the site.
