Hepatobiliary stones are a common condition with a tendency to increase gradually and are the most important disease of the hepatobiliary system. Gallstones include gallbladder stones, extrahepatic bile duct stones and intrahepatic bile duct stones, which can lead to acute cholecystitis, acute cholangitis or gallstone pancreatitis. It can be life-threatening if not treated properly, and may be associated with chronic cholecystitis and cause gallbladder carcinoma. The mechanism of gallstone formation is not well understood by modern medicine. According to TCM, the occurrence of gallstones is related to emotional depression and irritability, spicy and fatty diet, irregular lifestyle and roundworm infestation.
Symptoms
Pain in the right upper abdomen
Bloating, flatulence
Vomiting, nausea
Yellowing of the skin and eyes
Q: Does cholelithiasis (gallstone) need to be treated surgically?
A: Gallstones can be treated by two methods: surgical removal and medical dissolution. In recent years, surgical methods have changed rapidly, but there is still a consensus that the long-term goal of gallstone treatment is to replace previous surgical treatment with medical dissolution.
Modern medicine considers that surgical removal of asymptomatic gallbladder stones and intrahepatic bile duct stones without complications is generally not recommended; however, surgery is advocated for gallbladder stones with acute or chronic infection, symptomatic extrahepatic bile duct stones and intrahepatic bile duct stones with complications.
Q: What types of gallstones are suitable for treatment with herbs / phytotherapy?
A: Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, choleretic and dissolving effects in the treatment of gallstones, but they cannot treat all types of gallstones. It should be noted that drug treatment of intrahepatic bile duct stones is basically ineffective. Intrahepatic bile duct stones are difficult to remove by surgical treatment and tend to recur. Therefore, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can be combined to treat lingering or recurrent intrahepatic bile duct stones after surgery. Acupuncture combined with Chinese herbal medicine may be considered initially for gallbladder sludge and small gallbladder stones (less than 0.5 cm in diameter). The effect of herbal medicine on gallbladder stones is not as good as on stones of the common bile duct.
Acupuncture and herbal medicine are particularly effective in treating extrahepatic bile duct stones.
Acupuncture and herbal medicine are generally considered in the following cases.
1. no signs of biliary tract infection
2. no jaundice or no severe jaundice
3. cholecystectomy already performed
4. small gallstones (less than 1 cm in diameter) with the possibility of spontaneous excretion
5. patients with systemic diseases and surgical risks
6. residual or recurrent stones after extrahepatic bile duct surgery
7. Difficult stone excretion after choledochoplasty or sphincterotomy of the Oddi sphincter
Chinese herbal medicine, i.e. bile and stone elimination soup proved to be very effective. Commonly used medicines include Bupleuri Radix, Artemisia capillaris, Lysimachiae herba, Scutellaria, Costustoot, Fructus Aurantii, Curcuma, Chinese Rhubarb and Mirabilite. The basic pharmacological action is to drain the bile, relax the sphincter of Oddi and promote the peristalsis of the duodenum, which is called "internal cleansing" of the bile duct.
Needling and moxibustion of gallbladder acupuncture points can relieve pain and regulate the meridians, promote gallbladder contraction and bile secretion, as well as regulate bile duct function after surgery, prevent sequelae and reduce recurrence, thus aiding recovery after gallbladder surgery.
A positive and sunny attitude, a light and healthy diet and a regular lifestyle are the best measures to prevent gallstones.