Preparations For Dissolving Gallstones

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Preparations for dissolving gallstones

Content:

• The mechanism of formation of stones and their types
• Preparations with bile acids
• Biological additive Ziflan
• Concomitant therapy

The diagnosis of a person's history of "gallstones" does not always require surgical intervention. Before deciding on an operation, in most cases, conservative and drug treatment is tried. The patient himself needs to know about the presence of special drugs designed to dissolve stones in the gallbladder.

The mechanism of formation of stones and their types

The activity of the gallbladder is closely related to the work of the liver. The liver produces bile and cholesterol. If the bile is "correct" it will not form a sediment, and subsequently stones. The gallbladder is a reservoir for storing bile, and it is here that stones are formed from a dense suspension. They can be cholesterol, mixed and bilirubin (calcium salts and bilirubin). Most often, stones are composed of cholesterol.

Before deciding on conservative treatment, it is necessary to identify the type of stones in the gallbladder, since only cholesterol can be dissolved and removed from the gallbladder. If we are talking about the other two types of stones, then in most cases surgery or crushing is indicated (if the stones are not large in size). Conservative treatment of cholesterol stones is reduced to crushing and taking special drugs. They are divided into two types: Ziflan and bile acid preparations.

Preparations with bile acids

The human body produces several types of bile acids. In drugs such as Ursokhol, Ursofalk and Ursosan, ursodeoxycholic acid acts as an active ingredient. Chenodeoxycholic acids form the basis of drugs such as Henochol, Henosan and Henofalk. These drugs are designed to restore the ratio between the bile acids present in the body in an insufficient volume and cholesterol.

Doctors recommend taking each type of bile acids (preparations containing them) at the same time for maximum effect. The mechanism of their action is as follows: some acids, combining with cholesterol, change its structure from solid to liquid, others dissolve in bile, performing a dissolving function for the stone.

Treatment with these drugs is long-term, but effective, as evidenced by a thirty-year history of use in medicine. The period of taking medications can be from six months to two years. They are usually taken at bedtime. To monitor the state of the gallbladder, ultrasound is prescribed twice a year.

In what cases is the intake of bile acids indicated:

• when the diameter of stones in the gallbladder does not exceed 15 mm;
• there are no stones in the gallbladder ducts;
• stones do not occupy more than 50% of the gallbladder volume;
• the organ contracts normally.

For the successful dissolution of gallstones, it is necessary that the stones are purely cholesterol, their size does not exceed 15-20 mm, and the gallbladder (filled with stones no more than half) and the bile ducts fully retain their function.

When treating with drugs with bile acids, the following drugs are contraindicated:

• Hormonal contraceptives containing estrogen;
• Cholestyramine and similar drugs designed to remove excess cholesterol;
• Almagel and other drugs that lower the acidity of the stomach, as they reduce the absorption of bile acids.

Other contraindications include pregnancy and lactation, duodenal and stomach ulcers, inflammatory processes in the gallbladder and ducts, liver disease.

Biological additive Ziflan

In the liver cells, bile acids are formed, the precursor of which is cholesterol. When the ratio of bile acids is disturbed, they can crystallize and form stones. The reason for this may be metabolic disorders, chronic or acute diseases of internal organs, a sedentary lifestyle, pregnancy.

Ziflan drug

Ziflan as a herbal supplement contains immortelle extract. This main active ingredient stimulates the production of bile with a normal ratio of bile acids. This bile does not precipitate and does not form stones. Ziflan stimulates the formation of bile acids from cholesterol from its own stores. When such reserves are depleted, cholesterol deposited on the walls of blood vessels and gallbladder is used, contributing to the splitting of stones.

Ziflan is prescribed in courses of 30 days with a break of 10-15 days. Depending on the degree of development of gallstone disease, doctors may recommend 2-3 courses of the drug per year. Sometimes treatment lasts up to two years, if the ultrasound results show positive dynamics and dissolution of stones. Usually Ziflan is recommended to be taken with meals 3 times a day, one capsule. Even after the drug is discontinued, the liver is still able to work in the correct mode for a long period of time, producing the correct bile. Doctors often recommend preventive courses once a year if gallstone disease is present in the anamnesis.

Contraindications

A contraindication for taking Ziflan is pregnancy, lactation, individual intolerance to immortelle extract, children under 12 years of age. You can not take the drug for jaundice and high blood pressure. Allergies can be observed from side effects. Ziflan, as a herbal preparation, should not be taken for more than three months in a row, as it tends to accumulate in the body and inhibit liver function.

Concomitant therapy

Taking drugs that dissolve gallstones should be accompanied by healing therapy for the whole body. First of all, this applies to proper and regular nutrition with a reduction in the amount of fatty foods. Smoked meats and semi-finished products, fast food and alcohol are contraindicated. There are specially designed diets for the prevention of gallstone disease.

You should lead a more active lifestyle, more hiking in the fresh air, and not neglect sports. An important point is the treatment of concomitant diseases, especially chronic ones, as well as direct foci of infection, for example, sick teeth and gums. An integrated approach to improving the body will certainly bring a positive result, and its effectiveness will last for many years to come.

The author of the article: Gorshenina Elena Ivanovna | Gastroenterologist

Education: Diploma in the specialty "General Medicine" received at the Russian State Medical University named after N. I. Pirogova (2005). Postgraduate studies in the specialty "Gastroenterology" - educational and scientific medical center.