Natural Treatment for Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction

Natural Treatment for Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction

The sphincter of Oddi is a central gateway to many liver, gallbladder and pancreas problems. Many scientists believe that the sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) is a culprit in pancreatic disease and is the most common cause of chronic pain after gallbladder removal.

There is a muscular valve around the bile duct, pancreatic duct and duodenal wall, the sphincter of Oddi. The sphincter of Oddi, named after Ruggero Oddi, an Italian anatomist who discovered this structure in 1887. The sphincter of Oddi controls the movement of bile from the liver as well as the gallbladder and pancreatic juice from the pancreas into the duodenum.

Normally, the semi-digestive food opens from the stomach into the duodenal sphincter of Oddi. A large amount of gallbladder bile and alkaline pancreatic juice is released to digest this food. When there is no food in the duodenum, the sphincter of Oddi closes, so bile from the liver is collected in the gallbladder.

The regulation of this complicated work is controlled by the nervous system and special blood messengers - digestive hormones. Stress, fasting, “hard” liver cleansing, gallbladder removal, poor eating habits, alcohol, some medications and recreational drugs have a great impact on the proper regulation and work of the sphincter of Oddi.

Spasms or blockages of this muscle valve can cause pancreatic juice to flow backwards, increasing pressure in the pancreatic duct. Digestive enzymes close in the pancreas and begin to digest their own pancreas, triggering inflammation, pain and eventual death of the pancreatic tissue. Thus, chronic pancreatitis develops.

Tumor, gallbladder stone or scarring can anatomically block the sphincter of Oddi. It happens relatively rarely. More commonly, however, functional, temporal spasms of the sphincter of Oddi may occur without abnormality on tests. The most common reason for the sphincter to spasm is irritation from the “aggressive” bile and pancreatic juice.

What could make bile and pancreatic juice “aggressive,” corroded, and irritated? Let's explain.

The main functions of the liver are to produce and release bile and remove the toxins from our body by dividing them into water-soluble and fat-soluble wastes.

Water-soluble waste enters the blood and is excreted from the body by the kidneys.

Bile serves to remove a variety of toxic, fat-soluble wastes from the body. These substances include cholesterol, bile pigments, toxic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, etc.

Hepatitis, fatty liver, Candida yeast overgrowth, parasites, congestion, inflammation, infection of the gallbladder, high acidity of the body, poor eating habits, alcohol can cause the bile to be thick and acidic, making it difficult for it to move through the bile ducts.

When the bile and pancreatic juice become acidic, they also become very “aggressive”, irritated and corroded to the ducts, the sphincter of Oddi and the small intestine, causing jerky movements. “Wrong intercourse” – bile/pancreatic juice reflux in the stomach, ulcers and even cancer.

No wonder, it causes loss of appetite, nausea, bloating, heartburn, pain attacks, especially after “bad” foods or a bad food combination. The pain can last from 30 minutes to several hours and can even send the person to the emergency room.

Therefore, the aim of treatment must be at the root of the problems such as biochemical, acidic changes in bile and pancreatic juice. In the normal situation, bile and pancreatic juice are very alkaline fluids. However, when the whole body becomes acidic, the bile and pancreatic juice also become acidic and “aggressive”.

Checking the pH of saliva and urine with litmus paper at home can indicate an acidic state of the body, especially if the pH of saliva and urine is repeatedly below 6.6.

What can naturally normalize the alkaline state of bile and pancreatic juice?

Only minerals and bicarbonate from food and water can naturally neutralize the acidity of the entire body.

For this purpose, European doctors have long used healing mineral water. Treatment with healing mineral water (balneology) is part of the training at some European medical faculties. There are many healing mineral baths throughout Europe.

The most famous and researched mineral water is water from hot springs in the small Czech town of Karlovy Vary. Karlovy Vary's healing mineral waters attracted millions of visitors around the world. It was distributed over many years in barrels and bottles. The demand for this water was so high that the mineral salt was produced there in 1764 by evaporating the spring water. It was a good option for people who cannot visit Carlsbad or want to continue the healing course at home.

Dissolving this salt in water creates mineral water with the same healing value.

Karlovy Vary's healing mineral waters have been the subject of serious medical research for hundreds of years. The first medical book about the laxative effects of this water was dated 1522. Later, numerous medical articles confirmed the healing properties of this water for many digestive disorders.

European doctors showed that drinking mineral water makes bile and pancreatic juice less acidic, liquid and less “aggressive”. It naturally improves digestion, relieves pain and cramps, and reduces gas and heartburn.

This water can dissolve the gallbladder stones and expel them; It is also very beneficial for individuals with sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, chronic pancreatitis and hepatitis.

What can make the bile and pancreatic juice even less irritating to Oddi's sphincter?

Herbal medicine is the oldest way to eliminate digestive problems. Chinese medicine, Hindu system – Ayurveda, European herbalism offer many medicinal herbs for digestive disorders. Some of them increase the amount of bile, promote its easy excretion, reduce spasms and pain. The simple example is peppermint tea. A knowledgeable doctor can customize herbal remedies for any digestive problem.

No question, food is the important, safe and cheap medicine for the sphincter of Oddi dysfunction.

The food must be alkaline and full of natural digestive enzymes. Some vegetable mixes or juices are good for these purposes. Warm vegetable soups are also helpful for many digestive problems. Some individuals with a sphincter of Oddi dysfunction experience candida yeast overgrowth, food sensitivity, and allergy. Appropriate dietary changes are required to correct these conditions.

Stress can also cause spasms of the sphincter of Oddi. Worsening of the sphincter of Oddi dysfunction after mental or physical stress is very common. Counseling, relaxation, meditation, medical hypnosis, listening to custom hypnosis CD at home, acupuncture, massage are some natural ways to relieve the stress.

It would be advisable to temporarily stop drinking alcohol for a few months to improve the condition as alcohol disrupts the normal functioning of this muscle valve. Pain in the upper abdomen after alcohol consumption is typical of the sphincter of Oddi dysfunction.

Unfortunately, there is currently no simple and safe test for diagnosing early stages of SOD. Therefore, any type of pain in the upper stomach area after heavy meals can be the sphincter alarm bell of Oddi dysfunction.

According to the author, the strategic position of the sphincter of Oddi is involved in many digestive diseases and disorders. On the other hand, the sphincter of Oddi dysfunction itself leads to many digestive symptoms.

Natural treatment in the early stages can prevent serious problems in the future and improve quality of life.

It is important to work with a knowledgeable, licensed physician.

The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a qualified licensed professional.