David Cowley asked:


The gall bladder is a small pear shaped organ that is located on the underside of the liver. Gall bladder disease occurs when gallstones form in the bile duct which can slow the release or even block the release of bile into the digestive system.. When there are gallstones that do not cause any symptoms, there is usually no treatment required. Mild cases are usually able to be dealt with simply by having the patient make a few small lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise.

Gall bladder surgery is one of the most commonly recommended treatment options, and there are actually a few different surgeries that you can go with. Laparoscopic gall bladder surgery is usually the most successful for the removal of small gall stones, and involves the removal of the gall bladder and gallstones through several small incisions in the abdomen.

The surgeon inflates the abdomen and then inserts a lighted scope inside. This allows them to clearly see what they are doing and they have a video camera attached to the scope. The surgeon removes the small gall stones. Recovery time from Laparoscopic surgery is usually just a few days.

For larger gall stones the gall bladder may be removed by abdominal surgery. After the gall bladder has been removed bile is no longer stored in the body and when the liver produces bile it will flow from the liver through the common bile duct and out into the small intestine. Recovery time for abdominal surgery can take up to several weeks.

After the Surgery

After your gall bladder surgery there are a few things you are going to want to be prepared for. Side effects are rare but do occur in many patients and in particular you may experience pain in the shoulder and abdomen. This pain may last anywhere up to a few days but if it persists longer than this you should mention it to your doctor to make sure that there is nothing serious at play here.

You may also notice that you are having more bowel movements than normal, possibly even diarrhea. Minor inflammation or drainage at the surgical wound sites may occur as may a loss of appetite and even some nausea.

Gall bladder surgery is usually not very complicated and you may have it as an outpatient or stay a couple days in the hospital. The majority of patients who go through with the surgery do not experience any side effects at all as a result of the procedure but it is important to be well aware of them beforehand so that you will not be surprised if you do notice any of these symptoms.

Life style changes is the best method of treating gallstones. Lowering your intake of fats and cholesterol and increasing your take of fluids and fiber can stop all of the symptoms of a gall bladder problem. Surgery will be necessary for the more persistent gall bladder problems and is if there are no factors present that may complicate the surgery. You will have to work together with your doctor here in order to determine which course of action is best suited for your condition.

Common Vitamins and over the counter products can help with treating gall bladder problems such as vitamin c, Eico-Sapentaenoic Acid, niacin, oat bran, pectin, Phytosterols and Policosanol.

Vitamin C has been shown to combat the development of cholesterol deposits in the arteries. Within a few hours after receiving vitamin C patients showed a sharp decline in the cholesterol levels of the blood.

Studies of the Greenland Eskimos lack of heart attacks have show that Eico-Sapentaenoic Acid (EPA) lowers blood cholesterol considerably, even more than polyunsaturated fat does. It also triggers a major drop in triglycerides. Salmon Oil is one of the best known sources of natural EPA.

Niacin also tends to shift LDL particle distribution to larger particle size and improve HDL functioning. The intake of 3 grams Niacin for as little as two weeks can reduce serum cholesterol by 26 percent.

Phytosterols is found in flax seed and peanuts, which are suggested to help lower serum cholesterol.

Pectin limits the amount of cholesterol the body can absorb.

Policosanol is a natural supplement derived from sugar cane. Policosanol promotes healthy platelet function and helps to maintain normal cholesterol levels in the human body.

Oat bran muffins lower blood cholesterol among healthy college students by almost 10 percent.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.

David Cowley asked:


Today’s incidents of many different types of heart disease are much higher than in the past, partly due to increased awareness and better testing techniques in diagnosing heart problems. However, today’s lifestyle also plays a key role in the higher number of the signs of heart disease with a lack of proper diet, little or no exercise and smoking. Persons who are at risk of developing heart related diseases can make changes to help prevent it from becoming worse.

Of the many types of heart disease a heart attack will affect approximately one out of every 36 people, or about 7.5 million people in the United States alone. That is roughly 2.75 percent of the population that will suffer a heart attack each year. While many will survive, thanks to rapid response and modern medicine, knowing the risks and making changes to reduce those risks can save many lives.

High blood pressure is often considered one of the types of heart disease, but it may actually be the leading cause of many problems with the heart. High blood pressure causes the heart to have to work harder and it puts a strain on every part of the heart muscle. Its cause however, may not be directly related to the heart and kidney problems and other internal ailments may cause the blood pressure to increase above a normal level.

Heart Damage Due To Lack Of Blood.

The heart relies on a consistent flow of oxygenated blood and smokers often cannot deliver the oxygen to the blood. Blood picks up oxygen in the lungs and if they are filled with smoke and toxins, the blood delivered to the heart may be oxygen deficient, causing one of the types of heart disease, called ischemic heart disease. This occurs when not enough blood and oxygen reaches the heart, causing parts of it to slowly die.

One of the most common types of heart problems is rhythm disorders, affecting about one of every 18 people in the United States. This is diagnosed when a person’s heart does not beat on a regular basis. While many people live with this type of heart problem with few complications, it will need to be monitored by the doctor for any changes. Heart murmurs are another of types of heart diseases that produce sounds in the heart that are not considered normal. There can be a variety of causes, including trouble with the heart valves, but many are not fatal.

Common Vitamins and over the counter products can help with diseases of the heart such as Eico-Sapentaenoic Acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Policosanol.

Studies of the Greenland Eskimos lack of heart attacks have show that Eico-Sapentaenoic Acid (EPA) lowers blood cholesterol considerably, even more than polyunsaturated fat does. It also triggers a major drop in triglycerides. Salmon Oil is one of the best known sources of natural EPA.

Vitamin C has been shown to combat the development of cholesterol deposits in the arteries. Within a few hours after receiving vitamin C patients showed a sharp decline in the cholesterol levels of the blood.

Vitamin E supplies Oxygen to the heart and the other muscles in the body. Accelerates wound healing and aids in the functioning of the immune system.

Policosanol is a natural supplement derived from sugar cane. Policosanol promotes healthy platelet function and helps to maintain normal cholesterol levels in the human body.

David Cowley asked:


Diuretics are sometimes called water pills and have been used by people for years as a way to quickly lose weight for an upcoming event, after the birth of a child, or whenever someone is unnaturally retaining water and fluid. There are dangers to using diuretics haphazardly and over a long period of time, and some who have been found to be abusing them have needed to be hospitalized while they recovered from such abuse.

However, diuretics are sometimes prescribed by doctors to treat certain conditions, including high blood pressure. How do they work, and what should someone using them keep in mind for the long term?

Dangers of Diuretics

The real dangers of diuretics is that they force the kidneys to dump water and fluid unnaturally from its system, and whenever any part of the body is forced to function unnaturally, it can actually “unlearn” it’s own function. Those who have been abusing these types of medicines over a long period of time have needed to let their kidneys heal and actually be retrained as they’ve been slowly weaned off of them.

Also, using diuretics as a form of weight loss for any length of time can mean that the body is losing moisture and fluid that it needs. This can starve the heart and brain and cause heart failure, kidney failure, coma, and even death. Even without experiencing these terrible circumstances, a lack of needed moisture can mean very dry skin, being more prone to rashes and skin irritants, a lack of concentration and problem solving skills, and extreme fatigue.

No one should use diuretics for any length of time unless they have been prescribed by a doctor, and even then, be sure that you are following his or her recommendations very carefully.

For High Blood Pressure

Sometimes diuretics are prescribed for those who have high blood pressure, as these medications thin the blood and therefore cause it to be able to move through the system much easier. Usually they are prescribed in conjunction with another high blood pressure medication rather than simply being used on their own.

Using Diuretics Safely

Always be sure to keep your medications away from children, and do not share them with anyone. Some who feel that diuretics can work as a weight loss drug may want to use yours; do not allow this under any circumstances. Be sure that you are following your doctor’s advice to the letter. Immediately talk to your doctor if you experience nausea, dizziness, confusion, drowsiness (in extreme degrees) or weakness, as these can be signs of dehydration.

Stay out of the sun, as these medications make you more prone to rashes and sunburns. If you have any questions about the use of these medications or are concerned about any side effects, talk to your doctor immediately. Be sure that you absolutely understand all your instructions before you begin taking these pills.

Common Vitamins and over the counter products can help with Heart Disease such as Sytrinol, Policosanol, Potassium, Pectin, and Niacin.

Sytrinol are known to be useful in helping maintain a healthy cholesterol level in the body by reducing triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels.

Policosanol is a natural supplement derived from sugar cane. Policosanol promotes healthy platelet function and helps to maintain normal cholesterol levels in the human body.

Potassium may help prevent high blood pressure and protect against artherosclerosis and reduce the risk of stroke.

Pectin limits the amount of cholesterol the body can absorb. High pectin count in apples may be why “One a day keeps the doctor away”.

If you are at risk from Heart Disease then find a good health care professional prior to starting any type of home treatment.

Niacin is the closest thing available to a perfect treatment that corrects most causes of coronary heart disease. Niacin blocks the release of fatty acids from fat cells. Niacin plays a critical role in energy production, gene expression, and hormone synthesis. You cannot live without it. Niacin also tends to shift LDL particle distribution to larger particle size and improve HDL functioning. The intake of 3 grams Niacin for as little as two weeks can reduce serum cholesterol by 26 percent.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.