How To Reduce Gallbladder Stones?
Learn effective ways to reduce gallbladder stones through natural remedies, dietary changes, and medical treatments. Discover tips to prevent stones from forming and improve overall gallbladder health.
Written by
Last updated on 3rd Jul, 2025
The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped organ located just beneath the liver, and its primary function is to store and release bile. It helps the digestive system to break the fats. Before eating, the gallbladder becomes full of bile. When a person starts eating, it gradually squeezes the stored bile through the common bile duct towards the food. Finally, it mixes up with the food in the small intestine. Gallbladder stones or gallstones are the hardened pieces of bile that develop within the gallbladder. These can block the natural flow of bile and the bile duct. Thus, these require a proper treatment procedure for removal.
Causes of Gallbladder Stones
Several conditions and diseases affect the bile flow. However, not everyone with gallstones has any underlying conditions. Instead, there will be the most common risk factors. These include -
Age: Gallbladder stones take time to develop and become large enough when they are detected. Generally, males get these after 60 years of age. However, females get gallstones during the fertile years between 20 and 50.
Hormones: Females have three times more risk of developing gallstones than males. The risk increases by oestrogen as it raises cholesterol levels. The risk decreases with progesterone as it slows the gallbladder from emptying.
Genetics: Genetic profiles also cause individuals to have high cholesterol in the bile, which leads to gallstones. So, if someone has a history of developing this disease in the family, they have a better chance of getting it.
Weight: Body fat releases oestrogen that increases the oestrogen level. This hormone increases cholesterol levels. Also, rapid weight loss, including weight loss surgery, causes gallstones. As the body quickly loses fat, it releases enormous loads of cholesterol within the bile. Thus, it creates the stones.
Gallstones form when there is an excess in one of the elements of bile: cholesterol, bile salt, and bilirubin. The extra ingredient converts to the sediment at the bottom of the gallbladder. Gradually, the sediment becomes hardened and turns into stones. Cholesterol and pigment (bilirubin) stones are the most common types of gallstones.
Symptoms of Gallstones
The most common symptoms of gallstones are upper abdominal pain and nausea. The severe symptoms of gallstones are -
Fever
Yellow tint to the skin and eye
Light-coloured stool and dark-coloured urine
Fast heart rate
Abdominal tenderness and swelling
Gallstones cause acute bacterial infections and inflammation. In severe cases, these lead to life-threatening complications such as -
Gallbladder inflammation (Cholecystitis)
Bile duct infection (Cholangitis)
Liver inflammation (Hepatitis)
Pancreas inflammation (Pancreatitis)
Bile in the bloodstream (Jaundice)
Diagnosis of Gallbladder Stones
If the individuals get any of the symptoms mentioned above, they must visit a healthcare professional. Also, it would be a warning sign if they get any sudden pain in the upper right abdomen or shoulder after eating.
The doctor will recommend blood tests to detect any infection, inflammation or jaundice. Then, they will conduct an imaging test to find the gallstones. Abdominal ultrasound is the best imaging test to detect most gallstones around the gallbladder. However, the doctor might suggest other tests to determine if gallstones are stored in different organs.
These include endoscopic ultrasound, HIDA (hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid) scan, MRCP (magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography), etc.
Conventional Treatment Options
Medications only work on the small cholesterol gallstones that don't cause complications. So, the doctor prescribes medicines like chenodiol and ursodiol to dissolve them. However, it takes months to years to dissolve the stones.
Also, there is a possibility that the stones will return.
Thus, gallbladder removal surgery is the only reliable treatment option for this disease. The medical term for this surgery is cholecystectomy. It follows a laparoscopic surgical method. So, through this procedure, the gallbladder will be removed from the body. Then, the bile flows directly from the liver to the small intestine.
In some people, gallstones are not safe enough to remove with gallbladder removal surgery. In this case, the doctors conduct an alternative surgery, cholecystostomy. It's a minor procedure that removes the gallstones inside a catheter.
Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Gallstones
People can reduce the risk of gallstones by following a healthy diet and performing regular physical activities.So, they must eat foods high in fibre and healthy fats. Also, they must avoid unhealthy fats and consume less sugar and a few refined carbohydrates.
Weight loss with a gradual procedure may reduce the chance of gallstone development. Regular physical activity helps in healthy weight management and reduces the chance of gallstones.
Thus, experts suggest 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical exercises in a week can promote a healthy weight. For instance, they can perform fast dancing or brisk walking. Also, muscle-strengthening activities such as weight lifting or push-ups at least 2 days a week will be helpful.
Natural and Alternative Remedies
Some people suggest natural and home remedies to remove gallstones. Though these natural remedies become impactful in some cases, it's best to ask the doctor before adopting any of these remedies. Also, more research is required to determine their effectiveness in treating gallstones. Here are some home remedies -
Gallbladder cleansing
People believe this method can dissolve gallstones and help remove them from the body. Gallbladder cleansing involves fasting most of the day and drinking lemon juice and olive oil in the evening. Another approach is drinking vegetable and apple juice during the day, followed by lemon juice and olive oil at night.
Milk thistle
It can detoxify the liver effectively. Also, it can support the gallbladder. People may take it as a tablet, capsule or tonic. Also, some medical professionals suggest using it to treat specific conditions that affect the liver.
Castor oil pack
Some people and organisations believe that castor oil packs boost gallbladder health and reduce discomfort and pain. To apply this pack, people can soak a cloth in warm castor oil and then put it on the abdomen. Then, cover it with a towel. Also, they can place a heating pad or hot water bottle on it. Leave it for an hour.
Lysimachiae herba
This popular Chinese medicine can prevent cholesterol gallstones. This supplement is available in liquid or powder form.
Role of Diet in Gallstone Prevention
A gallbladder-friendly diet should include these foods -
Whole fruits and vegetables: Citrus foods, berries, and cruciferous vegetables
Whole grains: Quinoa, oats, and brown rice
Legumes: Lentils, peas, and beans
Healthy fats: Peanuts, fish, and olive oil
Plant-based protein: Soy products, seitan, and nuts
Coffee
Also, people should avoid these foods -
Ultra-processed foods and fast foods
Sugars such as fructose
Unhealthy fats such as trans fats and saturated fats
Refined carbohydrates such as deserts
Long-term Management and Monitoring
A combination of lifestyle factors, genetics, and diet causes gallstone development. Thus, people should follow these tips as a long-term gallstone management strategy.
Eat a well-balanced diet with plenty of vegetables and fruits.
Healthy weight management is another vital strategy for preventing gallstones. To manage their weight, people should prefer a low-calorie diet.
Participate in regular activities and physical exercises.
Regular monitoring and periodic medical check-ups will help to detect any changes in the symptoms. The doctor will adjust the treatment plan if there are any changes.
Also, individuals must get permission from their doctor before taking any supplements or home remedies.
Conclusion
Gallstones can't be removed without treatment. So, individuals must seek medical attention if they experience any symptoms related to gallstones without any wait. The healthcare provider will diagnose and decide on the correct treatment procedure. Generally, a surgical intervention is required to cure the stones. Also, people should follow proper diet plans, manage weight, and perform exercises to prevent this disease.
Consult Top Gastroenterologists
Consult Top Gastroenterologists
Dr Harish K C
Gastroenterology/gi Medicine Specialist
15 Years • MBBS MD DM MRCP(UK) (SCE-Gastroenterology and Hepatology)
Bangalore
Manipal Hospital, Bangalore
Dr. Paramesh K N
Gastroenterology/gi Medicine Specialist
16 Years • MBBS, MS ( General Surgery), DNB ( Surgical Gastroenterology)
Hyderabad
Sprint Diagnostics Centre, Hyderabad
Dr Rohit Sureka
Gastroenterology/gi Medicine Specialist
19 Years • MBBS, DNB General Medicine, DNB Gastroenterology
Jaipur
Triveni Gastro Care, Jaipur
Dr. Gorantla Sarath Chandra
Gastroenterology/gi Medicine Specialist
15 Years • MD, DM (Gastro)
Hyderabad
Star Hospital, Financial District, Hyderabad
(225+ Patients)
Dr. Vijay Rai
Gastroenterology/gi Medicine Specialist
19 Years • MBBS,MD General Medicine,MD GASTROENTOLOGY
Kolkata
Livgastro, Kolkata
