What Causes Gallstones?

What are Gallstones?

Gallbladder stones or gallstones are depositions that occur in the gallbladder. They are actually solid stones of different shapes and sizes. The gallbladder is a small but important organ that secretes digestive fluids for an effective digestion. These digestive fluids are collectively called bile and are composed of cholesterol, bilirubin, acids and other compounds. If the bile is too high in cholesterol or bilirubin gallstones can be formed in the gallbladder.

Types of Gallstones

Cholesterol gallstones: as the name implies they are formed of cholesterol. They are yellowish and the result of undissolved or unprocessed cholesterol. The cholesterol released by the liver must be dissolved by the bile. However when there is too much this excess cholesterol can crystallize in small particles that may grow to a variety of shapes and size.

Brown or black Gallstones

Bilirubin may be form from red blood cells. More specifically, from hemoglobin, the characteristic red pigment of the blood. Liver is the organ in charge of eliminated bilirubin from the body and releasing into the blood through the gallbladder. Bilirubin can form insoluble pigmented (black or brown) materials. For example, bilirubin can bid to calcium and for black pigments. Pigment bilirubin by products may be deposited in the gallbladder as solid particles which will eventually grow into gallstones.

Risk Factors for gallstones

According to the sources reviewed here are the risk factors associated with :

Age: as you grow older you have more risk of developing gallstones

Sex: females are more susceptible to develop them

Obesity: Obese people are more prone to have gallstones

Ethnicity: native Americans and Hispanics have more risk to develop this disease

Food: Eating high cholesterol product increases the chances of having stones

Diseases: having diabetes, cirrhosis, taking cholesterol lowering medications are risk factors for stones in the gallbladder.

Gallstones can be asymptomatic for year but eventually they may bring different symptoms characteristic of this diseases. Gastric and digestive problems usually arise from these stones. Also, different degrees of pain are associated with gallbladder stones.

Sources:

The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Gallstones -

MayoClinic.com