Gallstones: Risks of Developing It

Pain caused by gallstones can be excruciating. Often, it occurs suddenly and may last from 30 minutes to several hours.

Gallstones, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC), are pebble-like substances that form in the gallbladder-a pear-shaped sac located underneath the liver. The gallbladder acts as a storage area for bile-the fluid substance produced by the liver. Some components of the bile include water, fats, cholesterol, bilirubin (a pigment), and bile salts.

Gallstones can form when substances in the bile, such as cholesterol or bilirubin, harden or solidify.

The pain associated with the condition is caused by a gallstone traveling through the bile ducts-small passageways that carry bile to the small intestine.

So what puts a person at risk for forming or developing gallstones? For one, the mere presence of gallstones may put a person to develop more stones. Other risk factors that may increase the likelihood of a person to develop gallstones include the following:

Being overweight or obese. Clinical studies have shown that people who are overweight are at risk of developing gallstones. According to the NDDIC, people who are obese, especially women are at increased risk of gallstone formation.

Women in general, are twice as likely as men to develop the disease. Also, women who are pregnant, getting hormone replacement therapy, or who are using birth control pills may have increased levels of cholesterol in the bile, which may lead to the formation of gallstones.

Being over the age of 60. Studies have shown that people over the age of 60 are more likely to form gallstones than younger people.

Having high fat or high cholesterol diet. A diet high in fat or cholesterol increases a person's risk of forming stones because of increasing levels of cholesterol in the bile.

A family history of gallstones. According to the NDDIC, gallstones may have genetic link because gallstones often run in families.

People who are diabetics. People with diabetes are found to have increased levels of triglycerides-a type of fatty acid-that may increase risk of developing stones.

Fasting and rapid weight loss (crash diets). The body breaks down fats during periods of prolonged fasting or rapid weight loss to produce energy. However, prolonged fasting and rapid weight loss can cause the liver to produce more cholesterol in the bile and cause the gallbladder to not empty properly, which can lead to formation of gallstones.

Use of cholesterol-lowering drugs. Cholesterol-lowering drugs can decrease cholesterol levels in the blood but increases the amount of cholesterol secreted into bile, according to the NDDIC. This may increase the likelihood of forming gallstones.

Other conditions or health problems have been associated with increased risk, such as sickle cell disease and liver cirrhosis.

While those risk factors discussed may increase a person's chance of developing gallstones, many people who have some of these known risk factors do not develop gallstones. Also, some people who have no known risk factors can develop the disease.

These gallstones risk factors will guide you to take action, including changing your diet, performing regular exercises, or having checked for the disease.

Sources:

Gallstones. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC).

Gallstones. University of Virginia Health System.

Gallstones-What Increases Your Risk. WebMD.