The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped sac located below the
liver (on the right side of the abdomen) which contains approximately a
half cup of yellowish-greenish fluid called gallbladder bile. The bile
originates in the liver before moving into the gallbladder, where the
bile becomes 4-12 times more concentrated. The healthy, functioning
gallbladder then acts as a storage reservoir for concentrated bile
before it moves into the duodenum (small intestine).
The main
function of bile is to assist the body in digesting fats by dividing the
fats into thin droplets. It helps pancreatic enzymes split the fats
into small particles that can pass through the walls of the intestines.
When the semi-digested food exits the stomach and moves into the small intestine the gallbladder contracts causing the concentrated bile to move through the bile ducts into the small intestine. Once the gallbladder is removed liquid liver bile flows out constantly from the common bile duct straight into the small intestine instead of being stored in the gallbladder. This low quality liquid liver bile that constantly flows into the duodenum cannot properly digest the fats, causing fat intolerance and diarrhea in some people.
When the semi-digested food exits the stomach and moves into the small intestine the gallbladder contracts causing the concentrated bile to move through the bile ducts into the small intestine. Once the gallbladder is removed liquid liver bile flows out constantly from the common bile duct straight into the small intestine instead of being stored in the gallbladder. This low quality liquid liver bile that constantly flows into the duodenum cannot properly digest the fats, causing fat intolerance and diarrhea in some people.
Bile is
instrumental in removing dangerous toxins such as bile pigments, bile
acids, cholesterol and heavy metals. The antimicrobial property of
concentrated gallbladder bile assists in keeping the small intestine
from dangerous invaders such as bad bacteria, parasites, and yeasts.
Consequently, absence of the gallbladder leads to Candida-yeast and
Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) which can create gas and
indigestion.
Healthy alkaline bile neutralizes the semi-digested
acidic food from the stomach therefore creating the proper alkaline
milieu in the small intestine for pancreatic enzymes to work. It is well
known that pancreatic enzymes require an alkaline condition in the
duodenum to digest consumed food. When the gallbladder bile is not
alkaline, indigested foods in the small intestine are fermented causing
gas, bloating, abdominal cramps, and uncomfortable visits to the
bathroom.
The gallbladder acts as a buffer reservoir to prevent
the backup of bile and to prevent high pressure in the bile and
pancreatic ducts. This high pressure expands the common bile duct
causing pain. Enlargement of the common bile duct is a common finding
after gallbladder removal. When there is no gallbladder, the increasing
pressure inside the pancreatic duct can cause activation of the
pancreatic enzymes inside the pancreas and as a consequence,
inflammation of the pancreas can develop.
The liver, gallbladder,
pancreas, duodenum, bile ducts, and muscles valves work together due to
the perfect regulation of the body. Doctors and researchers have found
that cutting the nerve branches surrounding the gallbladder can disrupt
the proper work of the Sphincter of Oddi - the valve between the bile
and pancreatic ducts and the duodenum. Almost 20% of patients after
gallbladder surgery suffer from Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction. Spasm of
this strategic valve leads to backup of the bile and pancreatic juices
with resultant pain, nausea, and possible development of pancreatitis.
Concentrated
gallbladder bile is necessary for intestinal motility, digestion and
the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, and K. The lack
of gallbladder bile creates less peristaltic movement which makes people
prone to constipation.
The main reasons for gallbladder surgery
are inflammation and/or gallbladder stones. Removal of the gallbladder
does not stop the production of stones and inflammation of the bile
ducts. Therefore, inflammation and collection of the stones, both in the
liver and in the bile ducts, can be often observed in people without a
gallbladder.
Although loss of these functions of the gallbladder
is not life threatening, removal of the gallbladder can cause many
unpleasant symptoms. For some people life after gallbladder removal is a
miserable existence. This condition is called post-cholecystectomy
syndrome. The term post-cholecystectomy syndrome (PCS) describes the
presence of symptoms after cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal
surgery).
What can be done to decrease the consequences and symptoms of post-cholecystectomy syndrome?
Many drug-free and non-surgical healing techniques can alleviate many of these uncomfortable symptoms. Some of them have been widely used for a hundred years all over the globe.
Many drug-free and non-surgical healing techniques can alleviate many of these uncomfortable symptoms. Some of them have been widely used for a hundred years all over the globe.
A healing diet is one of the oldest, cheapest, safest and most effective medicines in the world.
Dietary changes are vitally important for a person suffering from post-operative digestive problems.
In
a healthy, functioning body the gallbladder, pancreas, bile and
pancreatic juices are naturally alkaline. Whole body acidity is one of
the main causes of liver, gallbladder and pancreas malfunction. Acidity
causes biochemical changes in the bile that makes it corrosively
irritating to the bile ducts, sphincter of Oddi and the small intestine.
Aggressive acidic liver bile irritates surrounding tissues, causes
jerky contractions and refluxes. This aggressive mix of the acidic bile
and pancreatic juices regurgitates into the stomach and esophagus and/or
causes spasms of the sphincter of Oddi. This can be the cause of the
heartburn, nausea and upper abdominal pain often experienced after
gallbladder surgery.
An alkaline diet involves eating mostly
alkaline-based foods and avoiding acid-forming foods such as sugars, red
meat, sodas, dairy products, white flour, white rice, alcohol, etc. A
separate diet requires eating only one kind of food at one time. Mixing
foods such as salad, soup, entree, dessert, sodas and alcohol together
in one meal, like people usually do, causes a huge strain on the
digestive system. When people without gallbladders (who don't have the
presence of good quality bile) continue to eat this way, many symptoms
of indigestion such as abdominal pain, nausea, belching, gas, heartburn,
diarrhea and/or constipation occur.
Typically, people without a
gallbladder have two problems: one is Candida-yeast overgrowth, another
is food sensitivity. An elimination diet and anti-Candida diet can be
very beneficial for these conditions.
In simple chemistry it is
known that to neutralize acidity the body needs plenty of minerals and
bicarbonates. Unfortunately, food today contains very little of these
vital nutrients, so supplementation is a practical way to get them. The
easy way to get minerals and bicarbonates is by drinking healing mineral
water.
Doctors from Europe have used healing mineral water for
hundreds of years. There are many mineral health spas in Germany,
Austria, France, Eastern Europe and Russia. Thousands of people travel
to these spas for cleansing, rejuvenating and healing procedures. The
most researched mineral water with 500 years of use is Karlovy Vary
thermal spring water in the Czech Republic. It is difficult to believe
that the first medical book referencing the use of this water in
digestive problems was written in 1522. From that time, many medical
articles, books, and dissertations have described the healing actions of
Karlovy Vary healing water mineral for many digestive and metabolic
disorders including post-cholecystectomy syndrome. Millions of Europeans
have drunk healing mineral water prepared from vaporized genuine
Karlovy Vary thermal spring salt at home for more than 250 years.
According
to European doctors this mineral water promotes the production and
speedy transit of bile, makes it more alkaline and improves the function
of the pancreas. All of these actions are beneficial for people without
a gallbladder to improve digestion and decrease the symptoms of
post-cholecystectomy syndrome.
Cellular magnesium-potassium, another alkalizing agent, also can decrease acidity in the body.
How can we know if our body is acidic or alkaline? Checking saliva and urine pH by litmus paper is the easy and inexpensive way to verify body acidity. If saliva and urine pH are frequently less than 6.6 it can be a warning sign of total body acidity.
How can we know if our body is acidic or alkaline? Checking saliva and urine pH by litmus paper is the easy and inexpensive way to verify body acidity. If saliva and urine pH are frequently less than 6.6 it can be a warning sign of total body acidity.
Drinking herbal tea can
alleviate spasms, gas, heartburn, and indigestion. A knowledgeable
herbalist can customize herbal remedies for many conditions. Some
formulas from European and Chinese herbal medicines can lessen the
amount of stones in the bile ducts, make the liver bile liquid and less
aggressive, and decrease spasms and pains.
Persons with
post-cholecystectomy syndrome can decrease many unpleasant symptoms by
using herbal formulas. They are not a quick fix, but in the long run,
herbs are safe and effective remedies.
Some people who have had
gallbladder surgery lose the proper interaction between the liver,
gallbladder, pancreas, duodenum, and stomach. To normalize this
teamwork, one can be treated with acupuncture. Acupuncture is the oldest
healing method for digestive disorders. Many medical papers have been
published during the last decades that confirm the positive action of
acupuncture in the treatment of post-cholecystectomy syndrome. Another
positive result of acupuncture is that it can help cure alcohol and pain
medication addiction.
Medical science has not yet developed a
surgical technique to replace the gallbladder once it has been removed.
We can, however, control the terrible symptoms of post-cholecystectomy
syndrome by employing various drug-free and non-surgical healing
methods. These methods are safe, effective, and relatively cheap and can
be used in conjunction with modern medicine.
The information in
this article is presented for educational, informational purposes only.
It is not intended as a substitute for the diagnosis, treatment and
advice of a qualified licensed professional.
