Try gallstone flushing before gallbladder removal

Friday, August 05, 2011 by: Debbie A. Allsup
Tags: gallstones, gallbladder removal, health news

(NewsTarget) Five hundred to seven hundred thousand people have a cholecystectomy, which is the removal of the gallbladder, every year in America. They may do so believing that all their gallstone-related troubles will be gone after the surgery. What many do not realize is that a cholecystectomy can bring complications and require lifelong dietary changes for those choosing the operation. Because gallbladder removal can create problems, patients should consider a gallstone flush as a better first step toward restoring health.

Cholecystectomies are usually performed laparoscopically, meaning by placing tubes, a special telescope, and instruments in the abdominal wall through four small incisions. The gallbladder also can be removed in the traditional manner via a six-inch cut into the abdomen. Scars are left behind after either procedure. Either way, removal of the gallbladder comes with consequences, including complications due to the surgery itself. On the other hand, flushing the gallstones out over time has neither complications nor scarring.

During the surgical procedure, arteries may accidentally be cut, leading to bleeding. Unfortunately, in some cases, the hepatic artery (a main artery that supplies blood to the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and duodenum) is cut. Not only is bleeding a concern, but also possible liver failure through the lack of blood supply to the liver may occur. Another problem that can occur during the surgery is the accidental cutting of the gallbladder itself. When that happens, stones and bile spill into the abdominal cavity. Even if a surgeon believes he or she has collected all the loose stones, patients may be required to use antibiotics longer in order to prevent abscesses from forming. Antibiotic use leads to other digestive problems through the killing of good bacteria. Postoperative nausea may also result from the anesthesia. With flushing, however, no bleeding, antibiotic use, or anesthesia use occurs.

The common bile duct drains bile from the gallbladder to the small intestine. This duct is often injured during traditional gallbladder surgeries and neighboring organs are sometimes cut when the gallbladder is removed laparoscopically. Sometimes additional surgery may be required to repair these cuts. Inflammation and infection can occur as a result of leaking bile from a surgical error. With flushing, the stones leave without the use of knives or injury.

All surgeries, including this one, come with common complications like blood clots, bleeding, infections, pneumonia, and heart problems. Side effects for cholecystectomies also include flatulence, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, pancreatitis, and weakness. From nearly constant emptying of bile into the small intestine, diarrhea can happen in some people after eating fatty foods just after surgery. For others, diarrhea becomes a chronic condition. Avoiding deep fried foods, ice-cream, alcohol, chocolate, margarine, and caffeine assists the flushing process; however, abstaining is a choice. Some patients, who have their gallbladders removed, may never have the choice as they may never be able to tolerate these foods again.

The most common reason to have a gallbladder removed is because of gallstones causing pain and obstructing the bile. Another reason is due to suffering from a malfunctioning gallbladder in general. Both groups may find their conditions helped by taking a year to do gallstone flushing, for doing so may help them avoid surgery altogether.

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About the author

Debbie A. Allsup holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Parapsychic Sciences from the American Institute of Holistic Theology located in Birmingham, Alabama, earned in 2007. Her dissertation focused on psychic attack and protection from it. She is also a licensed acupuncturist in the state of California and has practiced under the business name AuthenticSelf Acupuncture & Beyond since 2004.
You can follow her blogs at www.debbieallsup.info and visit her website at www.chasnqi.com