Gall-Bladder

The main problems which affect the gall-bladder are an inflammatory condition known as cholecystitis and gallstones



The inflammatory condition often leads cholelithiasis or gall-stones, which 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 for¬mation of deposits.

The gall-bladder is a pear-shaped organ ten cm. Long and three to five cm. Wide. It lies on the under-surface of the liver on the right side just under the lower margin of the ribs. The function of the gall-bladder is to store and Concentrate the bile secreted by the liver and to deliver it into the duodenum at appropriate times to assist in the process of digestion



Bile is an excretion composed main¬ly of bile salts and acids. Colour 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 "lid calcium.

The gall-bladder is usually full and relaxed between meals



During the process of digestion. When food reaches the duodenum. A hormone called cholecystokinin begins to be produced in the internal mucosa. When this hormone reaches the gall-bladder through the blood stream. It causes the gall-bladder to contract. Thereby releasing the bile concentrate into the duodenum via a common duct.

At the start, gall-stones 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. The incidence of gall-stones is five times higher in females than in males. Particularly in the obese and over 40 years of age.

Symptoms of Gallbladder disorder:

The major symptom of gall-bladder disease is acute or intermittent epigastric pain. Indigestion, gas, a feeling of fullness after meals, constipation, nausea and disturb¬ed vision are the other usual symptoms. Intolerance to fats, dizziness, jaundice, anaemia, acne. And other lesions may also occur Varicose veins, hemorrhoids and break¬down of capillaries are also disorders associated with gall-bladder troubles.

Causes of Gall Bladder disorder:

The association of gall-bladder disease with obesity together with their reported rarity in primitive people, liv¬ing on simple diets, suggests that dietary factors playa major role in the development of this disease. The main causes of gall-bladder disorders is over nutrition caused by refined carbohydrates, especially sugar as the loss of fibre removes a natural barrier to energy intake. Over nutrition also leads to increased cholesterol secretion. Meals rich in fats may cause an attack of gall-bladder pain or gall-stone colic. Chronic constipation is a most impor¬tant predisposing factor. Poor health, hereditary factors, stress, spinal displacements, bad posture and muscular tension may also cause gall-bladder disorders



The Chinese link the gall-bladder disorders with the emotion of anger.

Types of gall-stones

There are three types of gall-stones, depending on the cause of their formation. These are: cholesterol stones, caused by the change in the ratio of cholesterol to bile salts; pigment stones, composed of bile pigment and 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 resulting from stagnation of the bile flow. The third type is by far the most common.