Cholelithiasis also known is Gallbladder. Gallstones are concretions that form in the biliary tract, usually in the gallbladder. Gallstones are formed within the gallbladder, an organ that stores bile excreted from the liver. Further complications of gallbladder disease include gallstone pancreatitis, gallstone ileus, biliary cirrhosis, and gallbladder cancer. Gallstones may be as small as a grain of sand, or they may become as large as an inch in diameter, depending on how long they have been forming. A stone blocking the opening from the gallbladder or cystic duct usually produces symptoms of biliary colic, which is right upper abdominal pain that feels like cramping.

If the stone does not pass into the duodenum, but continues to block the cystic duct, acute cholecystitis results. Gallbladder calculi are relatively uncommon in children. However, the incidence of cholelithiasis has been increasing recently. Children may harbor cholesterol gallstones, black- or brown-pigmented stones, or mixed-type gallstones. Complications that occur in adults with this condition may also occur in children. Gallstones may cause irritation and inflammation of the gallbladder mucosa, resulting in chronic calculous cholecystitis and symptoms of biliary colic. Chronic gallstone disease may lead to fibrosis and loss of function of the gallbladder and predisposes to gallbladder cancer. Excision of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) to cure gallstone disease is among the most frequently performed abdominal surgical procedures.

Gallstones are a common health problem worldwide. Gallstones can occur anywhere within the biliary tree, including the gallbladder and the common bile duct. Obstruction of the common bile duct is choledocholithiasis; obstruction of the biliary tree can cause jaundice; obstruction of the outlet of the pancreatic exocrine system can cause pancreatitis. Gallstones are rocklike collections of material that form inside the gallbladder. Different types exist, and they are categorized by their primary composition; cholesterol stones are most common (75-80% in the United States) followed by pigment, then mixed stones. The stones form when there is an imbalance or change in the composition of bile. The first is how often and how well the gallbladder contracts; incomplete and infrequent emptying of the gallbladder may cause the bile to become overconcentrated and contribute to gallstone formation.

The second factor is the presence of proteins in the liver and bile that either promote or inhibit cholesterol crystallization into gallstones. Increased levels of the hormone estrogen as a result of pregnancy, hormone therapy, or the use of birth control pills, may increase cholesterol levels in bile and also decrease gallbladder movement, resulting in gallstone formation. The pain of biliary colic is not characteristically positional, pleuritic, or relieved by bowel movement or flatus.Other symptoms, often associated with cholelithiasis, include indigestion, dyspepsia, belching, bloating, and fat intolerance. However, these are very nonspecific and occur in similar frequencies in individuals with and without gallstones; cholecystectomy has not been shown to improve these symptoms.

Gallbladder sludge is crystallization within bile without stone formation. Cholesterol gallstones may become colonized with bacteria and can elicit gallbladder mucosal inflammation. Lytic enzymes from bacteria and leukocytes hydrolyze bilirubin conjugates and fatty acids. Gallstones are present in about 80% of people with gallbladder cancer. Symptoms of gallbladder cancer are usually not present until the disease has reached an advanced stage and may include weight loss, anemia, recurrent vomiting, and a lump in the abdomen. When the cancer is caught at an early stage and has not spread deeper than the mucosa (the inner lining), removal of the gallbladder results in five-year survival rates of 68%. If cancer has spread to deeper layers, more extensive surgery or other treatments may be required. Sickle cell disease has been identified as an independent risk factor associated with an increase in the frequency of cholelithiasis. Cholesterol gallstones develop when bile contains too much cholesterol and not enough bile salts. Besides a high concentration of cholesterol, two other factors seem to be important in causing gallstones. Acute gallstone pancreatitis is often characterized by epigastric tenderness. In severe cases, retroperitoneal hemorrhage may produce ecchymoses of the flanks and periumbilical ecchymoses.

There are several available treatments for Cholelithiasis. Electrohydraulic shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) has also been employed to treat cholelithiasis. Urodeoxycholic acid (UDCA, ursodiol), a more contemporary medical therapy, is successful in only 40% of cases. Both CDCA and UDCA therapies are useful only for gallstones formed from cholesterol. Surgery-Removal of the gallbladder, or cholecystectomy , is usually needed to treat symptoms associated with gallstones. It is a relatively safe procedure that does not cause any nutritional problems. Oral Bile Salts-If surgery is not desirable, bile salts to dissolve gallstones can be taken by mouth. However, it may take a long time to dissolve the gallstones, and because the gallbladder is still present, gallstones may recur. Laparoscopic techniques, which have been used for years in the field of gynecology, have recently been adapted to cholecystectomy, in an effort to decrease complications, recovery time and cost. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is associated with a lower incidence of intra-abdominal adhesions, wound site hernia and scar formation. Postoperative pain is also reduced, and recovery time is shorter. Lithotripsy has been investigated as adjunctive therapy for failed endoscopic stone retrieval and for retained ductal stones after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Author: Juliet Cohen

Juliet Cohen writes articles for health care clinic and home remedies. She also writes articles on beauty tips.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Juliet_Cohen

Information on Cure Gallstones and Green Stool Gallstones

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There is no standard definition regarding the color of normal stool. This is particularly because the body structure and diet of everybody differs. However, pale yellow and green color falls under the category of normal bowel colour. In most of the cases it might be dark brown or light brown also.

Causes of White Bowel Movement:

A bowel movement is characterized by white color throughout the stool might also indicate that you are suffering from your biliary system of infection in liver. It is actually a fact the bile present in our livers are responsible for coloring the stool matter. Now, in case, one suffers from problems in these internal systems then the bile may stop functioning properly which effects the process of digestion.

Further, there are some other problems which might lead to white bowel movements. In case, you body is digesting the food consumed at a very steady pace than your waste matter gets white colored due to the presence of mucus over it. The mucus is actually secreted by the colon which in order to shield itself from the unhealthy foods items.

Common Symptoms of White Bowel Movement:

* Abdominal pain
* Constipation
* Abdominal swelling or discomfort
* Acidic taste
* Diarrhea
* Anal pain

Common Reasons of this problem

* Tumors and tightening of bile duct.
* Symptoms of barium particularly from antacids and enema.
* Biliary cirrhosis.
* Problems in metabolism.
* Gallstones.
* Celiac disease.
* Sclerosing cholangitis.
* Liver infection due to hepatitis etc.

Treatment of White Bowel Movement:

As there are many reasons which might cause this problem, the doctor first try to find out the specific reason and then start the treatment. In fact, there are numerous which would help you to bring your stool back to the normal color.

Author: Amy Myers

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Information on Cure Gallstones and Gallstone Bruise Abdomen.

Herbal Blog » Blog Archive » Removing Gallstones Naturally

“Even if you don’t have any symptoms of gallstones, you still might have some.  It is always good to give your gall bladder a clean up now and then.  You’ll find that your digestion will be much better afterwards.”

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The easy fix: When nothing else worked, plastic surgery might just be the last solution.
As the last paragraph mentioned, body image is extremely important in a lot of people’s live. For some, they want to make a change in their life by exercising every day and using the services of personal training to reach their goals. However, some can suffer from physical problems that make it hard to lose the weight and their motivation drops. What happens next can be disappointing. Depression kicks in and their food intake increases. Result: Obesity.
This section is dedicated to inform all of you about plastic surgery. The good, the bad, the ugly. Once you read this section, you will definitely think twice before lying down on the surgical bed, voluntarily speaking, of course.

LIPOSUCTION

( Lipoplasty. Suction Lipectomy, Body Contouring or Sculpturing ) There are several procedures to reshape the breasts, abdomen and other parts of the body. Dramatic advances have been made in recent years with suction techniques that now often replace more extensive surgery to remove unwanted, bulging fat. The increasing popularity of Liposuction is due to the effectiveness of the technique and the fact that it leaves only tiny scars, often less than one-half inch in length.
The success of liposuction, also referred to as; body contouring, body sculpturing or suction lipectomy, whether it is done to enlarge, reduce or even lift, is influenced by your age, your size, shape, or tone of the skin in the area(s) to be treated. Liposuction can slim and contour the body by suctioning out localized collections of fat with minimal scarring. A vacuum device is inserted through short, small incisions near the fatty areas.

It is important to understand that Liposuction is not a substitute for diet and exercise, nor a cure for obesity. To get the most from this procedure, you should be of average weight with extra fat localized in specific areas. It is also important that you have healthy, elastic skin with the ability to shrink or "snap back" after surgery. Since Liposuction removes only fat, it cannot eliminate dimpling or correct skin laxity.

Liposuction surgery can be performed with a local anesthetic to numb the area to be treated, along with a sedative to relax you. For some Liposuction procedures, your surgeon may perform your procedure with general anesthesia so that you sleep through the entire operation. Postoperative discomfort is normally controlled with medication. Following surgery, you will wear a snug, tight fitting "girdle" for several weeks. This is to reduce swelling and to help the skin shrink to your new body frame. With Liposuction, there can be some temporary bruising or skin discoloration. This of course will subside. The area that has been suctioned may also feel numb to the touch for a short time as well. Overall, most patients can resume their normal day to day schedule within a few days.

Chunky thighs, love handles, double chins and more can be eliminated with Liposuction. Liposuction can be performed on the legs, buttocks, abdomen, back, arms, face, and neck. The result can be a slimmer, flatter, more sculptured body contour.

How much does it cost?
In general, the average cost for liposuction in the US is $2000 per body area. Cost varies from surgeon to surgeon and according to where they practice. In Canada, a single site costs $3,500 CDN and up. There may be additional costs such as anesthesia, operating room facility, prescription medicines, etc.

What happens during the procedure?
The procedure is usually performed in an outpatient surgical center, either operated by your surgeon or a hospital facility, and takes 1-2 hours, but depending on the extent of the procedure, it can take longer. Overnight hospitalization is generally not necessary, but if you are having more than one procedure, it may be required.

Liposuction can be performed under local anesthesia, along with intravenous sedation, or general anesthesia depending on your health and the extent of the procedure. Normally, during the procedure, a hollow suction tube, or "cannula," is passed through small skin incisions and manipulated to break-up unwanted fat. It is then transferred through the tube by the attached vacuum machine. While fat is removed by suctioning it through small tunnels, the skin remains connected to the underlying muscles. This helps preserve the nerves and blood vessels supplying the skin and also helps to decrease the laxity of the skin. The surgeon also leaves a thin blanket of fat attached to the skin to prevent the cannula from getting too close to the skin and causing excessive rippling or other irregularities.

Some of the latest techniques used to perform liposuction are:

The super-wet technique, in which a saline solution containing a local anesthetic and adrenaline is injected into the area to be treated, which makes the fat deposits easier to break up and extract. This extra fluid also minimizes trauma to the surrounding tissue, reducing swelling and post-operative pain. The administration of adrenaline also decreases bleeding during surgery, further reducing risks.

The tumescent technique, in which even larger amounts of liquid solution are injected, has similar benefits.

A newer method, ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL), uses sound waves to liquefy the fat after the injection of fluids. UAL also minimizes trauma, causing less bruising and blood loss. UAL is particularly useful on fibrous areas of the body, such as the male breast, the upper abdomen, and the upper back, which are difficult to treat with traditional techniques.

The latest method, power assisted liposuction (PAL) is a technique where the cannula eases through the fatty tissue (even fibrous) with none of the risks of burns associated with the UAL techniques. This new machine uses a special high-speed "linear reciprocating" suction cannula. The newer cannula allows surgeons to perform more effective, high-volume liposuction in a shorter time, without as much trauma, especially in more fibrous areas. The PAL system moves through these areas faster, with less work and strain for the surgeon and less pain and a faster recovery in patients.

Are there risks or potential side effects?

As with all surgeries, there is always a possibility of complications, including infection, a reaction to the anesthesia, hematoma, seroma, nerve damage and the occurrence of asymmetries or irregularities. Should infection occur, your surgeon will prescribe a treatment of antibiotics.

With liposuction, in particular, imperfections in the final appearance can occur. The skin surface may be irregular, wavy, asymmetric, or even "baggy," especially in the older patients. Numbness and changes in pigmentation are also possible. Often, revision surgery is performed to improve the appearance. Ultrasound-assisted liposuction carries the risk for burns to the skin and deeper tissues. In addition, the long-term biological effects, if any, of ultrasound energy are not known.

The risks increase if larger areas or a greater number of areas are treated at one time. Removal of large volumes of fat and fluid may require sizable volumes of pre-injection fluid and longer operating times, resulting in greater hazards for infection, delays in healing, improper fluid balance, injury to vital organs (especially perforation), shock, and unfavorable drug reactions. As with any surgical procedure, blood clots may form in the veins with risk of migration to the lungs, which can be fatal.

Another risk of liposuction is Pulmonary Thromboemboli, blood clots that can break free and travel to the lungs. This can trigger adult breathing distress and subsequently cardiac arrest or coma that can result in a vegetative state from loss of oxygen to the brain. Although rare, this can happen within three (3) weeks of the surgery but will most likely show symptoms of shortness of breath and fatigue within the first 72 hours.

Another risk is Pulmonary Edema (or fluid in the lungs) from over hydration. This can occur when extreme amounts of saline are intravenously supplied with the purpose of replenishing fluids that were taken out. Some surgeons try for "twice the amount in as removed, just to be safe". This is most seen with tumescent and super-wet techniques. Ask your surgeon how much fluid he or she returns to the patient’s body.

What to expect post-procedure?

The extent of the post-operative swelling and bruising is dependent on whether you tend to bruise or swell easily. The amount you can expect varies for each individual but past surgeries or injuries should be a good indication. Keep the treated area elevated, above the level of your heart. Applying cold compresses, or small ice packs will reduce swelling and relieve discomfort. Many patients use a water-tight plastic sandwich bag filled with frozen berries or peas. Regular icing is the key to relieving swelling and the resulting pain.

You will feel tender and sore for a few days to several weeks after surgery. Some fluid may drain from your incisions post surgery. To prevent fluid build-up, a small drainage tube may be inserted beneath your skin for a few days. Antibiotics to prevent infection may also be prescribed. To control swelling and to help your skin adjust to its new contours, you will be fitted with a snug, elastic garment to wear over the treated area for a few weeks. Your surgeon will likely request follow-up visits to review your progress.

As with any surgery, it is also sometimes normal to feel anxious or depressed in the days or weeks following the operation. If there is heavy bleeding or increased pain, be sure to inform your surgeon.

How soon does normal life resume?

Recovery is individual and varies from person to person. After liposuction, however, you will begin to see a noticeable difference in the shape of your body almost immediately with additional differences occurring during the following 4 to 6 weeks as the swelling subsides.

Although you may not feel like it, you should try to walk as soon as possible to reduce swelling and prevent blood clots from forming in your legs. Strenuous activity should be avoided for 4 to 6 weeks. Although most bruising and swelling will disappear within 3 weeks, some swelling may remain for 6 months and up to a year.

Will the fat cells grow back?

The fat cells that are removed by liposuction do not grow back. If you gain or lose additional weight, the change will be distributed among the remaining fat cells. Long-term body weight is not influenced by liposuction.

Are you a good candidate?

As with all elective surgery, good health and realistic expectations are prerequisites, but if you want to eliminate localized areas of fat, then liposuction may be appropriate, especially if:

o You have firm, elastic skin which is able to "bounce back".
o You tell your surgeon about any and all medical conditions and any allergies you may have as well as all medications, herbal supplements or natural supplements you are taking (both prescription and non-prescription).
o You are not prone to scarring problems such as keloids.
o You have a good understanding of the healing process and the limitations of the procedure.

When larger areas are treated, excess skin removal may also be necessary with an arm or thigh lift. Discuss you goals with your surgeon so that you may reach an understanding with what can realistically be achieved. The above is only partial.

How to prepare for this procedure?

Your doctor will give you specific instructions to prepare for surgery but here are some general guidelines:

o Avoid aspirin, any aspirin containing medication or any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAID), such as Motrin® or Advil®, for two weeks prior to treatment. Because aspirin thins the blood, it can interfere with normal blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding and bruising.
o Smoking inhibits the healing process, so stop smoking before your procedure and if you start again, make sure it is after you are completely healed.
o Avoid drinking alcohol a few days before your surgery.
o Make sure to follow any fasting instructions the night before and morning of your surgery. Your doctor may insist on an empty stomach depending on the type of anesthesia.
o Make sure that you arrange for someone to bring you home and to help you out for 24 hours after surgery.

Are there alternatives to this procedure?

Arm, thigh or buttock lift can improve the skin quality and appearance but cannot eliminate excess fat to the same extent and are limited in terms of the area treated. A tummy tuck, however, can both remove fat and tighten the skin around the abdomen. These procedures also produce scarring, whereas, liposuction does not. Exercise, especially weight lifting, however, can significantly improve the shape and tone of body, including that of the loose skin and should always be considered as an alternative to surgery.

TUMMY TUCK

( Abdominoplasty ) Sometimes after multiple pregnancies or weight loss, abdominal muscles weaken, and skin in the area becomes loose. An Abdominoplasty or Tummy Tuck can tighten the abdominal muscles and, in some cases, improve the appearance of stretch marks. This surgery does not take the place of dieting, but it can be combined with Liposuction, a procedure to reduce areas of fat accumulation.

An Abdominoplasty procedure usually requires a short hospital stay and general anesthesia is used. To smooth out the abdomen, the surgeon works through a low abdominal incision that spans across the hips. Because sagging skin will be pulled down over the abdomen before it is removed, it is necessary to release the navel from its surrounding skin and bring it out through a new skin opening. Resulting scars across the pubic area and around the navel are permanent but flatten and lighten in color over time.

In some instances, when loose skin and muscle weakness are limited to the area below the navel, a Modified Abdominoplasty may be recommended. A Modified Abdominoplasty may be performed on an outpatient basis and usually leaves a shorter scar and no scarring around the navel. Endoscopic Abdominoplasty is another technique for minimizing scars and is useful when patients have only a mild degree of excess fat and muscle laxity or looseness.

Following Abdominoplasty, you will be advised to wear a light support garment for two to three months and avoid strenuous activity for a few weeks.

RISK ASSOCIATED WITH SURGERY

Surgery of any type is dangerous. Cosmetic surgery can be dangerous. Although it is extremely rare, people have died while having cosmetic surgery. Beyond the risks of injury associated with cosmetic surgery, there are also other risks. Cosmetic surgery procedures have varied results. Some results are favorable to the patient. Some results are not. These varied results may or may not have anything to do with the surgeon performing the surgery. Much of the outcome of a cosmetic surgical procedure is based on the candidates themselves.

There are several major categories of gastric surgery

Restriction Operations

Restriction operations are the surgeries most often used for producing weight loss. Food intake is restricted by creating a small pouch at the top of the stomach where the food enters from the esophagus. The pouch initially holds about 1 ounce of food and expands to 2-3 ounces with time. The pouch’s lower outlet usually has a diameter of about 1/4 inch. The small outlet delays the emptying of food from the pouch and causes a feeling of fullness.
After an operation, the person usually can eat only a half to a whole cup of food without discomfort or nausea. Also, food has to be well chewed. For most people, the ability to eat a large amount of food at one time is lost, but some patients do return to eating modest amounts of food without feeling hungry.

Restriction operations for obesity include gastric banding and vertical banded gastroplasty. Both operations serve only to restrict food intake. They do not interfere with the normal digestive process.

o Gastric banding. In this procedure, a band made of special material is placed around the stomach near its upper end, creating a small pouch and a narrow passage into the larger remainder of the stomach
o Vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG). This procedure is the most frequently used restrictive operation for weight control.

Restrictive operations lead to weight loss in almost all patients. However, weight regain does occur in some patients. About 30 percent of persons undergoing vertical banded gastroplasty achieve normal weight, and about 80 percent achieve some degree of weight loss. However, some patients are unable to adjust their eating habits and fail to lose the desired weight. In all weight-loss operations, successful results depend on your motivation and behaviors.
A common risk of restrictive operations is vomiting caused by the small stomach being overly stretched by food particles that have not been chewed well. Other risks of VBG include erosion of the band, breakdown of the staple line, and, in a small number of cases, leakage of stomach juices into the abdomen. The latter requires an emergency operation. In a very small number of cases (less than 1 percent) infection or death from complications can occur.
Gastric Bypass Operations

These operations combine creation of small stomach pouches to restrict food intake and construction of bypasses of the duodenum and other segments of the small intestine to cause mal-absorption.

o Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RGB). This operation is the most common gastric bypass procedure.

First, a small stomach pouch is created by stapling or by vertical banding. This causes restriction in food intake. Next, a Y-shaped section of the small intestine is attached to the pouch to allow food to bypass the duodenum (the first segment of the small intestine) as well as the first portion of the jejunum (the second segment of the small intestine). This causes reduced calorie and nutrient absorption.

o Extensive gastric bypass (biliopancreatic diversion). In this more complicated gastric bypass operation, portions of the stomach are removed

The small pouch that remains is connected directly to the final segment of the small intestine, thus completely bypassing both the duodenum and jejunum. Although this procedure successfully promotes weight loss, it is not widely used because of the high risk for nutritional deficiencies.

Gastric bypass operations that cause malabsorption and restrict food intake produce more weight loss than restriction operations that only decrease food intake. Patients who have bypass operations generally lose two-thirds of their excess weight within 2 years.

The risks for pouch stretching, band erosion, breakdown of staple lines, and leakage of stomach contents into the abdomen are about the same for gastric bypass as for vertical banded gastroplasty. However, because gastric bypass operations cause food to skip the duodenum, where most iron and calcium are absorbed, risks for nutritional deficiencies are higher in these procedures. Anemia may result from mal-absorption of vitamin B12 and iron in menstruating women, and decreased absorption of calcium may bring on osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease. Patients are required to take nutritional supplements that usually prevent these deficiencies.

Gastric bypass operations also may cause "dumping syndrome," whereby stomach contents move too rapidly through the small intestine. Symptoms include nausea, weakness, sweating, faintness, and, occasionally, diarrhea after eating, as well as the inability to eat sweets without becoming so weak and sweaty that the patient must lie down until the symptoms pass.
The more extensive the bypass operation, the greater is the risk for complications and nutritional deficiencies. Patients with extensive bypasses of the normal digestive process require not only close monitoring, but also life-long use of special foods and medications.

Explore Benefits and Risks

Surgery to produce weight loss is a serious undertaking. Each individual should clearly understand what the proposed operation involves. Patients and physicians should carefully consider the following benefits and risks:
Benefits

o Immediately following surgery, most patients lose weight rapidly and continue to do so until 18 to 24 months after the procedure. Although most patients then start to regain some of their lost weight, few regain it all.
o Surgery improves most obesity-related conditions. For example, in one study blood sugar levels of most obese patients with diabetes returned to normal after surgery. Nearly all patients whose blood sugar levels did not return to normal were older or had had diabetes for a long time.
Risks
o Ten to 20 percent of patients who have weight-loss operations require follow up operations to correct complications. Abdominal hernias are the most common complications requiring follow up surgery. Less common complications include breakdown of the staple line and stretched stomach outlets.
o More than one-third of obese patients who have gastric surgery develop gallstones. Gallstones are clumps of cholesterol and other matter that form in the gallbladder. During rapid or substantial weight loss a person’s risk of developing gallstones is increased. Gallstones can be prevented with supplemental bile salts taken for the first 6 months after surgery.
o Nearly 30 percent of patients who have weight-loss surgery develop nutritional deficiencies such as anemia, osteoporosis, and metabolic bone disease. These deficiencies can be avoided if vitamin and mineral intakes are maintained.
o Women of childbearing age should avoid pregnancy until their weight becomes stable because rapid weight loss and nutritional deficiencies can harm a developing fetus.

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One of the symptoms of a gallstones attack is very similar to acid reflux. These attacks are sudden, painful and can cause some confusion that the acid reflux attack is connected them. This is myth and misunderstood.

The symptoms of the acid reflux and gallstone attacks may lead you to believe that they are connected. To make matters worse the circumstances that these attacks begin, can also lead to the conclusion that acid reflux is caused by gallbladder stones.

Symptoms

These attacks can occur late at night and may be also come with indigestion. Other symptoms that you may have are gas and belching. Sometimes these attacks will usually happen after you have had a very fatty meal. These symptoms are very similar to an acid reflux attack but they never lasts as long the attacks.

Some gallbladder stone problems have no symptoms at all. These are known as silent stones and do not require treatment. Silent stones would seem to confirm that these problems are not connected

Treatment for gallbladder stones: Surgery

Surgery to remove the gallbladder is the most common way to treat gallstones(Asymptomatic gallstones usually do not need treatment). The surgery is called cholecystectomy.

Oral treatment of gallbladder can be done, in some cases, whereby an acid is administered in an attempt to dissolve the gallstones. This treatment is not always successful in solving the problem. Sometimes after treatment, the gallstones have a possibility of appearing again.

The other option is to have surgery that removes the gallbladder. This provides the patient with very slim chance of the gallbladder stones reoccurring. There are no real negative side effects to having your gallbladder removed.

It comes down to the similar symptoms between having acid reflux and gallbladder stones. The pains can lead you to believe that the two are connected. Always seen professional medical advice.

Author: Peter DD Vizard

Peter DD Vizard has been writing articles online for nearly 4 years now. Not only does this author specialize in diet, fitness and weight loss, you can also check out his latest website: Wooden Window Blinds which reviews blinds like the popular Cheap Roman Blinds

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Ultrasound machines used for medical diagnostics or therapies emit high-frequency, ultra sound waves toward a part of the body and can produce pictures of the inside of the subject without using harmful radiation the way x-rays do. Although ultrasound machines produce a small amount of ionizing radiation, ultrasound is still very safe for human beings because the radiation is a much lower amount than could cause damage to a person.

With their own easily obtainable ultrasound machines, doctors’ offices and clinics are able to examine various organs in the body on-site without having to send patients to the hospital or expensive medical imaging or ultrasound treatment centers. Compared to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT), ultrasound machines are relatively inexpensive and portable.

What is Ultra Sound?

Ultra, or beyond the norm, when used to describe sound waves as in "ultrasound", is that which exceeds a frequency that a human ear can detect. Normally a human can hear approximately 20 hertz to 20,000 hertz. Ultra sound, used for diagnostic imaging or therapy, can be employed to analyze or treat medical conditions. It applies cyclic sound pressure pulsed at a frequency higher than the human ear can detect, or 20,000 hertz, hence the name ultrasound.

Components of an Ultrasound Machine

• Sonographers & Ultrasound Technicians Trained operators of ultrasound machines
• Central Processing Unit (CPU) The ultrasound machine’s brain. The computer that contains the microprocessor, memory, amplifiers and power supplies for the microprocessor and transducer probe. The CPU sends electrical currents to the transducer, which in turn sends electrical pulses that bounce off of the target and return echoes. The CPU calculates the location of thousands of points of echo origins to produce an image for output such as a monitor, a printer, a network drive; or a disk.
• Transducer Pulse Controls The transducer pulse controls can set and vary the frequency and duration of the ultra sound pulses. The transducer pulse controls also allow for scanning the mode of the machine. Electrical currents are applied to the piezoelectric (PZ) crystals in the transducer probe, as selected by the operator.
• Display The display turns processed data from the CPU into an image. Images have typically been black-and-white, but newer ultrasound machines can produce color images.
• Keyboard/Cursor Ultrasound machines have a keyboard and a cursor. The keyboard allows the operator to add notes and to take measurements of the image; the mouse enables the operator to interact with the ultrasound machines software.
• Disk Storage The processed data and/or images can be stored. Storage can include hard disks, compact disks (CDs), digital video disks (DVDs), or a network drive. Most of the time, ultrasound machines store data with the patient’s medical records.
• Ultrasound Printers Most ultrasound machines have thermal printers connected to them. Ultrasound images are in motion, but a still can be captured at any point in time to send the image to the printer.

Ultrasound Uses

Ultra sound machines can be used on many subjects, typically to infiltrate them and evaluate the reflection signature, or to supply concentrated energy. The ultra sound reflection signature can detail the inside structure of the medium. The most well known application of ultrasound machines is for images of fetuses. While many people relate this applied science with obstetrics, there are many other applications for ultrasound technology.

Identifying and diagnosing many an ailment before an effective treatment using ultrasound imaging has steeply declined our death rate from a variety of diseases and conditions. Medical diagnosis, which is crucial in disease treatment, has been a chief cause in this overall improvement of health outcomes. Ultrasound machines gave a huge boost to medical diagnosis. Ultrasound machines can visualize problems in a patients’ organs and other tissues by bouncing ultra sound waves off of them and using a computer to plot the many points and render them on the monitor or print onto thermal paper.

• Diagnostic – Capture size, structure, and any pathological lesions; Scans routinely conducted are cardiac, renal, liver and gallbladder (hepatic); Applications include musculo-skeletal imaging of muscles, ligaments and tendons, ophthalmic ultrasound (eye) scans and superficial structures such as testicle, thyroid, salivary glands, and lymph nodes. Ultrasound is also increasingly being used in trauma and first aid cases by the likes of EMT response teams. Vascular scans are possible with the use of Doppler to display blood flow.
• Therapeutic – break kidney stones and gallstones; focused ultrasound surgery; acoustic targeted drug delivery; cataract treatment; stimulate tooth and bone growth; non-surgical treatment of varicose veins; Liposuction and lipectomy; bacterial cell killing; and acoustophoresis (contactless separation, concentration, and manipulation of microparticles and biological cells). Because of the real time nature of ultrasound, it is often used to guide interventional procedures such as fine needle aspiration FNA or biopsy of masses for cytology or histology testing in the breast, thyroid, liver, kidney, lymph nodes, muscles and joints.
• Industrial
• Cleaning – teeth and medical / dental instruments
• Humidifiers
• Echo Location & Range Finding
• Chemistry
• Weaponry

How Ultrasound Machines Work

Ultrasound machines have what is known as a transducer probe, which both emits and receives the ultrasound waves. Pulse controls are used to control the different wave properties of frequency, duration, and amplitude. Other components of the machines include a CPU, a mouse, a display, and a printer.

Sound waves coming from the ultrasound machine’s transducer, or probe, echo off of the target to help determine the size, shape, and depth of an abnormality. In a typical ultrasound, millions of pulses and echoes are sent and received from the probe each second. Ultrasound waves come from small vibrations or waves going through matter. Although ultra sound waves are sound waves, they are inaudible. This is because the frequency is too high for human beings to hear.

Ultrasound machines use ultra sound waves to image internal organs. These waves are emitted by the machine and bounce back when they collide with abnormal tissue or tumors, or at the boundaries between different tissue types. The machine times the reflections to calculate distances and generate images of the organs which show intensities.

Ultrasound machines provide the ability to view live images of our internal organs. By use of the controls provided, a radiologist can view the exact section of an internal organ. Portable machines are also available for emergency medical teams.

How an ultrasound is done?

In an ultrasound scan, a real-time scanner forms a continuous range of images of the subject on a screen. A transducer is used for releasing these waves. The recurring beams of the ultrasound scan the subject and go back to the transducer. The data obtained from the different reflections recomposes in the form of a picture on display screen.

Ultrasound imaging is a complex medical procedure that requires prior training due to the possible health risks. The high frequency waves generated during the process are potentially damaging to body tissue and nerves if exposure is too lengthy. As such, only professional doctors with experience in radiology can correctly regulate duration.

Is Ultrasound Safe?

Loudness is measured in decibles (dB) not frequency. The loudness at which medical ultra sound waves are applied is much quieter than 120dB. Ultra sound frequency is an inaudible 20,000 hertz. Yes, except:

• Excess of 120 dB may lead to hearing loss.
• Excess of 155 dB may harm the human body due to heat.
• Exposures above 180 dB may lead to death.

When applied by trained ultrasound technicians or sonographers, ultrasound machines are generally safe with no known risks to patients because ultra sound does not use mutagenic ionizing radiation. If applied at length or at higher than diagnostic power, there are three effectts of ultrasonic energy: It enhances inflammation; it can heat soft tissue from molecular friction; and it may cause microscopic bubbles in living tissues and distortion of the cell membrane. This is not known to occur at diagnostic power levels used by modern diagnostic ultrasound machines.

Author: Steve Chard

Ultrasound machines by Biosound Esaote are well suited to diagnosing endocrinological and otolaryngological issues, and are offered exclusively in America by DrSmart.com, Smartsound Ultrasound.

Ultrasound machines use Ultra sound in a generally safe manner. What makes medical sonography safe is its high frequency and low loudness, lack of radiation, and skillful application by trained sonographers. When it comes to ultrasound, machines of this complexity are only to be used by trained ultrasound technicians or sonogram machine operators who are experts in medical ultrasound. Machines are very expensive and highly advanced.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Chard

Information on Cure Gallstones and Contracted Gallbladder with Gallstones.

Gallbladder and Gallstones

Eating a large high fat meal is often responsible for triggering a gallstone attack. You have to be x-rayed and have an ultrasound to locate where the stone or stones are at in the gallbladder…

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What are gallstones and how are they affected by dieting? Gallstones are a fairly common condition affecting as many as 1 in 12 Americans. Your gallbladder contains an emulsifying fluid called bile and when one eats, the gallbladder contracts, releasing the bile. The bile is then transported through the common bile duct to the small intestine where it can help break down digested fats.

Now, if one’s bile becomes chemically unbalanced then hardened particles of bile pigments, cholesterol, or calcium salts can form, possibly growing to uncomfortable sizes within a few years. However, not all gallstones are painful and can go unnoticed entirely. There are several possible factors that contribute to gallstone formation.

The first of the contributing factors is having too much cholesterol in the bile. Bile already contains fatty compounds and if it contains more than it should then it becomes supersaturated in a sense and begins to form crystals that can then lead to stones. One point that needs to be noted is that blood cholesterol levels are unrelated to bile cholesterol levels. Another factor that can contribute is incomplete gall bladder emptying. If your gallbladder doesn’t empty frequently enough or incompletely then your bile can become too concentrated and thus form gallstones. The latter factor is directly related to one’s diet. People who eat too infrequently or who commonly skip breakfast will find themselves with gallstone problems since the lack of digestive stimulus fails to trigger contractions from the gall bladder. Even if you do eat a good breakfast every morning, you still might be susceptible to gallstones. There are still other risk factors that need to be addressed before you can most likely be in the clear, so to speak.

First of all, genetics do play a role in gallstones. The do tend to be inherited, but remember, relatives might not be feeling any symptoms. The second determining factor is one’s sex. Women between the ages of 20 and 60 are twice as likely to develop gallstones than men. The reason for this is that estrogen causes for greater cholesterol secretion in the bile. Pregnancy can also raise the risk as well. The third determining factor is body weight. The more overweight one becomes, the greater their chances for developing gallstones. Just like the estrogen, excess fat promotes greater cholesterol secretion in the bile, but to compound matters, it also hinders the gallbladder’s emptying process too.

The next factor that can contribute is one’s diet. Low-calorie, fad diets tend to jar the entire body out of standard procedure, including a disruption of your bile’s chemistry and a reduction in gallbladder contractions. Another factor that can also contribute to gallstone development is age. Simply put, the older you are, the greater your chances become for developing gallstones. And lastly, ethnicity has also been shown to play a role in the development of gallstones. Native Americans have the highest incidence of gallstones and Mexican-Americans also have an elevated incidence rate.

As mentioned earlier, you could be living with gallstones and never realize it, but others are not so lucky. Immediate medical advice needs to be sought when you begin to feel sharp, intense pains in your abdomen accompanied with fever and vomiting. While gallstones are clearly not simple to control and prevent, one should still try manage their weight and avoid any sort of crash diets. Nutritionally speaking, try to find a happy medium and maybe that’ll be enough of a preventative measure to ensure a healthy bile chemistry.

Author: Ian Mason

Learn more about which is the best diet for your healthy, safe and permanent weight loss at PhenForum.com, a site providing info on Phentermine and healthy weight loss online! Join our support group to find a weight loss buddy. Learn how to lose weight and keep it off forever.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ian_Mason

Information on Cure Gallstones and Laser Gallstones.

About the Gallbladder; problems and surgery

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However I am terrified that I may have larger than normal stones from the ultra-sound image they seem to be about the diameter of the contracted gall-bladder…

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Once only contracted by senior citizens, pregnant women too also can get gallstones from all the extra estrogen in their bodies…

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If you have a gallbladder problem, you may want to take a closer look on laser technology as another alternative on how to remove gallstones that have been causing you pain and discomfort.

This laser technology is called Extra-corporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy or ESWL and was approved by the FDA for gallstones removal in 1985. A non-invasive treatment often recommended to patients whose gallstones are too large to be dissolved by drug medication or through alternative herbal medicines.

Patients who consider this non-surgical treatment are those saddled with the problem of how to remove gallstones without resorting to surgery. Even the alternative forms of treatment don’t work due to the size of the problem stones.

To help you decide on ESWL or Lithotripsy, here are important facts you should know about this high-tech procedure:

1. The whole process will take about an hour of discomfort and pain, although analgesics will be administered to provide relief.

2. Before the actual procedure is done, the patient will be examined to evaluate the number, the stone sizes and the location where the blockage has taken place. Doctors will utilize a test known as Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP) to pinpoint the stones’ location.

3. During the actual lithotripsy procedure, the patient will lie down on water-filled cushions in a tub full of water.

4. A machine called Lithotripter will be used to produce about 8, 000 individual shock waves, directed at the pre-determined location of the stone. However, the number of shock waves will depend on the patient’s threshold for pain.

5. The shock waves are created by a high-voltage electrical output passed underwater through a gap and will be transmitted through a person’s skin to penetrate the soft tissues. Shock waves in increasing pressures will concentrate at the spot where the stones are located with the help of a machine called C-Arm Image Intensifier.

6. The pressures of the shock waves are expected to pulverize the stones into gravel-like consistency and will be made to pass out of the urethra.

These are the steps on how to remove gallstones with the use of laser technology. In case you decide on this kind of gallstones removal method you should inform your doctor if you are taking other medications including herbal medicines because your condition may require further evaluation.

Obviously, this treatment is not recommended for pregnant women, although certain tests will be done to determine if a woman is pregnant which even she may not be aware of.

Author: Alvin Hopkinson

Alvin Hopkinson is a leading natural health educator and specialized in natural remedies for gallstones. Discover how you can get rid of your gallstones for good using proven home remedies, without the side effects of harmful medications. Visit his site now for more useful articles such as: Diet for Gallstones

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alvin_Hopkinson

Information on Cure Gallstones and Gallstones Surgical Consult.

natural cures for gallstones

New laser surgery techniques involve only a small incision and allow rapid recovery. A new treatment called lithotripsy is also available; it uses sonic shock waves to break up the stones… 

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Master atan said that gall bladder stones today can be easily removed by operation and the so called laparoscopy, a process using laser to remove the gall bladder stones…

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If you’re considering – or if you’ve already undergone – gastric bypass surgery then you need to be aware of the possibility of gallstones. Studies show that up to one third of gastric bypass patients will develop gallstones following surgery. And they’re most likely to occur in the first year.

It seems that very low-calorie diets (like you have after gastric bypass) don’t contain enough fat to cause the gall bladder to contract and empty it’s bile. If the gallbladder doesn’t contract enough to empty it’s bile, gallstones can form.

While some patients may develop so-called "silent" gallstones that cause no symptoms (and therefore can be ignored), symptomatic gallstones make their presence painfully known.

It often starts with a horrible pain at the top of your stomach, sometimes off to the right, that can radiate all the way around to your back. This pain happens when you eat and it is intense! You can also experience a burning, acidic feeling in your stomach.

Sometimes there is nausea and vomiting. But these don’t always seem to make the pain go away. In fact, pain medication may not even make the pain go away. Nor does changing your position.

Once you’ve had a serious gall bladder attack, you will not want to experience another one. So often, the only thing to do is to have the gall bladder removed.

In the past, gall bladder surgery was a major ordeal that required a hospital stay. Today, it can be performed laparoscopically and is often an outpatient procedure.

If your gastric bypass was also performed laparoscopically, chances are your doctor can use 1-2 of the same incisions when removing your gall bladder. My own surgery had 5 small incisions, 2 from my previous surgery and 3 new ones.

Recovery is nothing like your gastric bypass surgery. But you will want to give yourself several days to take it easy.

After your gallbladder is removed, you may notice changes in what you can eat. Many gastric bypass patients experience dumping more often and on more foods than they did before the second surgery. And you can often experience a burning sensation when your pouch is empty. This is due to increased acid production in glands that are now closer to your stomach (since the gall bladder is no longer between them).

You may also notice that you can no longer tolerate some foods that were fine before having your gallbladder removed. It can be a lot like the days when you were first put on solid food as you gingerly try new things to see how your body will react.

The good news is that you can live without your gall bladder. Once you get used to the foods you can tolerate after having it removed, you can continue on with your efforts to meet your gastric bypass surgery goals.

Author: Lisa Packer

What’s life really like after gastric bypass surgery? Lisa Packer had hers on 7/19/07. She shares the honest truth – both good and bad – about this life changing surgery at Gastric Bypass Truth : The Skinny On Life After Weight Loss Surgery. Whether you’re considering surgery, have already gone through it, or have a loved one who has, you’ll find a wealth of information on what to expect. Visit www.gastricbypasstruth.com today and share your thoughts!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Packer

Information on Cure Gallstones and Gall Stones Treatment.

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If you are concerned about going under the knife to have your gallbladder removed, it is important that you understand you have options. There is more than one gallstones treatment that you can choose from.

Some of them are herbal remedies, others include using your diet to flush your system clean and some are medical procedures that do not require an incision or the removal of your gallbladder.

The first gallstones treatment that we would like to clarify for you is the lithotripsy. This procedure is one that is done by your doctor and it is not a common procedure because many people opt for the quick fix, which is the removal of the gallbladder.

This procedure is not recommended for individuals that have acute gallstones. It is generally only contemplated in the instances where the gallstones and inflamed gallbladder are a chronic concern. This procedure utilizes the ultrasonic waves to crack, break and crush the gallstones so the body can pass them with less pain and possibility of complications. It can be used with or without the bile acids.

The next alternative treatment for gallstones is called contact dissolution therapy. This is basically a quick fix that will prolong surgery but will not rule it out in the end. This treatment utilizes a catheter to put a chemical into the gallbladder that will dissolve the gallstones and allow miniscule ones to pass naturally. However, there are risks associated with this procedure and there is no guarantee the stones will not come back.

Another quick fix is the Percutaneous cholecystostomy. In general this procedure is not for long term relief, instead it is a great method to achieve fast pain relief in a pinch. However, you might still have to undergo a surgical procedure if you continue to have problems with your gallbladder. This is especially useful in situations that the patient is not well enough to undergo the surgical procedure.

As you are deciding which procedure is going to be the best for your gallstones treatment, you should weigh the pros and the cons for each procedure. Some of them have serious side effect that need to be considered.

Also, if you are looking for permanent relief, some of these options are not going to be feasible because they will only prolong the inevitable and not cure your problems altogether. Ponder the options for a few days before making your final decision. Never decide while you are in pain, you will likely jump the gun.

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If you are concerned about the amount of fat that you or your family take in, or any of you would like to reduce your risks of getting hit by a familiar tendency to heart disease there are a few things you can do that will help you in your quest to stay healthy. One of those things is to implement a low fat diet eating plan.

A diet that is low in fat can help to reduce your risk of heart disease but also to help you to get rid of symptoms of other disease processes such as evening or night time indigestion or gall stones or gall bladder disease. There are many places online that can assist you in developing your own low fat diet eating plan to quell costs as well as symptoms and risks.

A low fat diet eating plan may not be for you if you spend a lot of time on the road or eating convenience foods, or have no need to be careful of your fat or salt intake. However, before deciding that you don’t require those things, you might want to get the opinion of a physician and have your high and low density lipid checked to make sure that they are within normal limits.

No one unfortunately is immune to heart disease and everyone can take some benefit from a low fat diet plan, even if it is only for a few weeks, to bring your lipids into acceptable norms. Taking the initiative to do it now may in fact save you some very real health problems later on down the road.

A diet that is high in fat will usually be high in saturated fats, which are the type known to cause atherosclerosis, or arteriosclerosis, which is either clogged arteries, or hardening of the arteries, and has been link to high blood pressure as well.

Lowering your saturated fat intake now, may prevent some of these problems later in life. One method of lowering your intake of saturated fats is of course a low fat diet eating plan, which cuts out not all fat, but most of the highly saturated fats that can cause health problems.

Most people believe that you cannot have many things such as margarines or other type fats when on a low fat diet eating plan, however, these food items are limited, not completely cut out of the picture, so you might want to review a low fat diet eating plan for yourself so that you are aware of what this type diet entails prior to saying its not for you.

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