Gal
Bladder Disorders
The gal-bladder is a
pear-shaped
organ, 10 cm. long and three to five cm. wide, attached to the
under-surface
of the liver on the right side. The main function of the gal-bladder is
to store the bile secreted by the liver. Bile is an excretion composed
mainly of bile salts and acids, color pigments and cholesterol. Bile
assists
in the digestion and absorption of fats and the absorption of
fat-soluble
vitamins A, D, E and K, minerals and calcium.
The gal-bladder
is usually
full and relaxed between meals. During the process of digestion, when
food
reaches the duodenum, the hormone cholecystokinin begins to be produced
in the internal mucosa. When this hormone reaches the gal-bladder
through
the bloodstream, it causes the gal-bladder to contract, thereby
releasing
the bile concentrate into the duodenum via a common duct.
The main problems
which afflict
the gal-bladder are an inflammatory condition known as cholecystitis
and
gal-stones. Gal-stones are usually caused by disturbances in the
composition
of the bile. A change in the ratio of cholesterol and bile salts may
result
in the formation of deposits. At the start, these may be in the form of
fine gravel. But these fine particles constitute the nucleus for
further
deposits, ultimately leading to the formation of larger stones. An
irritation
of the lining of the gal-bladder due to inflammation may also lead to
the
formation of particles.
The incidence of
gal-stones
is higher in females than males, particularly in those who are obese.
Symptoms
Indigestion, gas, a
feeling
of fullness after meals, constipation, nausea and disturbed vision are
the usual symptoms of gal-bladder disorders. Other symptoms are
intolerance
to fats, dizziness, jaundice, anemia, acne and other lesions. Varicose
veins, hemorrhoids and breakdown of capillaries are also disorders
associated
with gal-bladder troubles.
Causes
The main causes of
gal-bladder
disorders are digestive disturbances due to a regular excessive intake
of fats and carbo-hydrates in the diet. They can also be brought on by
disturbances of the liver and gal-bladder. Meals rich in fats may cause
an attack of gal-bladder pain or gal-stone colic. Often the disorder is
caused by a diet rich in refined carbohydrates such as white flour and
white sugar. Poor health, hereditary factors, stress, spinal
displacements,
bad posture and muscular tension may also cause gal-bladder disorders.
Types of
Gal Stones
There are three
types of
gal-stones, depending on the cause of their formation. These are:
cholesterol
stones caused by a change in the ratio of cholesterol to bile salts;
pigment
stones (composed of bile pigment) caused by the destruction of red
blood
cells due to certain blood diseases, and mixed stones consisting of
layers
of cholesterol, calcium and bile pigment (bilirubin) resulting from
stagnation
of the bile flow.
Treatment
|