Women are more prone to develop gallstones or gall bladder stone. With the increasing age risk of formation of gallstones increase.

• Cholesterol stones
Cholesterol stones have a dark central spot, oval in shape, 2-3 cm in length, varies from light-yellow to dark-green or brown color.

• Pigment stones
Pigment stones are made from calcium and bilirubin. These stone are small and dark in color.

• Mixed stones
mixed stones are made from cholesterol, calcium carbonate, palmitate phosphate, bilirubin, and other bile pigments.

A cause of the gallstone formation varies. Following are the risk factors:
• If gallbladder fails to empty bile properly
• Biliary tract infections
• Live cirrhosis
• Intravenous feeding.
• Organ transplant
• In certain conditions, the liver makes bilirubin in large amount e.g. chronic hemolytic anemia.
• Diabetes
• Rapid weight loss.

Gallstones may remain asymptomatic for years, these are called silent stones. When the size of gallstones increases more than 8 mm. symptoms start appearing.
• During a gallstone attack, the person experiences severe pain in the upper right side of the abdomen with nausea and vomiting.
• Referred pain between shoulder blade or below the right shoulder.
• Pain after the fatty meal.
• Symptoms almost occur at night.
• Abdominal bloating
• Indigestion and belching.

Signs
• A positive Murphy’s sign.
• Jaundice occurs in cases of biliary obstruction, choledocholithiasis or gallstone pancreatitis.
• If there is jaundice with fever and chills it indicates cholangitis.

• Blood test
• Ultrasound
• CT scan
• Cholescintigraphy (HIDA scan)
• Endoscopic ultrasound
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

Surgery is needed to take out the gallstones.
• Laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
• Open cholecystectomy.
• ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography)

• Avoid Non-Vegetarian diet
• Avoid fried food
• Avoid milk and milk products except for cheese.
• Oils like Ghee and mustard oil should be restricted in the diet.
• Low cholesterol and low saturated fat oils are recommended.

Symptoms of gallstones do not return after surgery.

Berberis vulgaris:
• Stitching pains extend from the gallbladder region to the stomach and sometimes to the shoulder.
• Radiating pain can be felt in the groin and pelvic bones.
• Worse from standing up, and from changing position.

Chelidonium majus:
• Pain extends to the back, right shoulder, and shoulder-blade.
• The abdomen is distended, with a constricting feeling.
• Pain is worse from motion, and lying on the left.
• Nausea after eating fat or drinking something cold.

Dioscorea:
• Abdominal pain from gallstones is relieved by bending backward.
• Standing up and moving around gives relief.
• Pains can spread to the back, chest, and arms, or may shift around.

Calcarea carbonica:
• The abdomen may feel swollen on the right and be very sensitive to pressure, with cutting pains that extend to the chest.
• Worse from stooping, standing, exertion, and better from lying on the painful side.
• Indicated for people who tire easily, feel cold and sluggish with clammy hands and feet.
• Crave sweets, and tend to feel anxious and overwhelmed when ill.

Lycopodium:
• Indicated for people who have chronic digestive problems with abdominal bloating, flatulence, and discomfort.
• Problems are worse from eating.
• Pains may extend from the right side to the left.
• Craving for sweets prefers warm drinks.

Cinchona officinalis:
• Patient complains of gallstone colic.
• Liver and spleen are swollen and enlarged.
• There occurs severe flatulent colic better bending double.
• Pain in the right hypochondrium.
• Well indicated medicine for jaundice.

Hydrastis canadensis:
• Liver is torpid and tender to touch.
• Well indicated medicine for jaundice and gallstones.
• There is gastro-duodenal catarrh.
• Also indicated for gastritis.
• Patient is unable to eat bread or vegetables.
• Well indicated medicine for ulcers and cancer of the stomach.

• Cholecystitis.
• Blockage of the common bile duct leading to jaundice and bile duct infection.
• Blockage of pancreatic duct leading to inflammation of pancreas causing pancreatitis.
• Cancer of gallbladder.
• Choledocholithiasis.
• Cholangitis

• Cholecystitis
• Bile duct tumors.
• Gallbladder cancer.
• Gastroenteritis.
• Pancreatic cancer.
• Acute pancreatitis.
• Gastric and peptic ulcers.
• Bile duct strictures.
• Cholangiocarcinoma.
• Appendicitis.