Does heat help gallbladder pain? Heat is a simple and effective way to get rid of gallstone pain. It does not cure the disease, but it can give some relief from symptoms.
In addition to this, heat helps dissolve stones in the body to be passed more easily.
There are several ways to use heat for gallstones:
1) HOT BATH
Taking a hot bath before bed helps dissolve gallstones and pass them through urine or stool while sleeping. Thus, you will have less pain the next morning. Also, many people report that their abdominal pain was lessened by taking a hot bath before sleeping at night. While pain usually comes on at night when you’re relaxing, and there’s not much movement going on inside your body, taking a hot bath before bedtime can help you pass the gallstones through your system in your sleep.
2) HOT WATER BOTTLE
Another way to use heat is by applying it directly to the affected area in a warm pack or hot water bottle. It will ease pain and discomfort when applied regularly. Do not apply heat for more than 15 minutes at once until you are used to it. Never fall asleep with a heating pad or hot water bottle on your belly unless manufacturer instructions recommend doing so. Otherwise, the injury may occur due to burns due to overheating of the skin.
3) SAUNA
Saunas help people suffering from gallstones, but they should be limited to no more than 10-15 minutes at a time. This may be painful during the session, but after it is over, you feel relief. Sauna is also beneficial because it increases blood flow to the liver, thus improving its function and stimulating bile production. Additionally, frequent sauna visits increase the body’s natural detoxification processes and thus lead to better gallstone dissolution.
4) HOT GINGER TEA
Ginger tea with honey is good for those who suffer from gallstones as it stimulates bile flow and helps dissolve stones in your system. It may relieve some pain as well if consumed regularly. If you’ve just had surgery on your gallbladder or you have recently passed a gallstone, avoid this remedy until fully healed, as ginger might slow down the healing process due to bleeding of the digestive system.
5) HOT COMPRESS
A hot compress is a simple way to ease the pain that you feel because of gallstones. You need to wet a towel with hot water or dip it into hot water and place it onto your abdomen, covering it with another towel so that heat does not escape. Covering towels can also be warmed in the microwave for 10 seconds before applying them to your belly.
6) EPSOM SALT BATH
This is an easy, inexpensive, and efficient way to get rid of gallstone pain. Add two cups of Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) into your warm bath (add only 1 cup of the water feels too warm). Magnesium helps relax smooth muscles, thus easing spasms which are the main cause of pain. Soaking for 20 minutes a day will help you get rid of gallstone pain and dissolve stones in the liver, kidneys, and urinary tract.
7) HOT WATER WITH LEMON JUICE
This is an easy way to make yourself a hot compress using items you can find at home. Heat half cup of water until it simmers and add one tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice into it. When ready, strain the mixture and soak two small towels in it before placing them onto the area where you feel pain from gallstones. Cover the wet towels with dry ones so that heat does not escape. Keep them on overnight or when going to sleep for best results.
To ease the symptoms caused by gallstones, you can use any of these remedies or combine all of them. If you notice that your pain is gone for good after two weeks, you might want to stop using heat applications as they encourage further gallstone formation by stimulating bile flow. However, if the symptoms return after stopping the treatments, the stones are not dissolved completely, and treatment should be continued.
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