Gallstones Treatment - Alternatives to the Knife

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.