You’ve probably heard of gallstones before, but you may not know how common this malady is. Gallstones, as their name implies, are “stones” or pieces of solid matter that form inside your gallbladder. The stones are frequently harmless and cause no symptoms. But if your gallstones get too large or block one of your bile ducts, they can cause a medical emergency. If you have a family history of gallstones, or if you’ve had problems with stones yourself in the past, it’s important for you to be aware of what causes this problem so you can reduce your risk of developing it.
Most stones are made of cholesterol. Others can be caused by a build-up of bilirubin in your bile. If you develop gallstones, it’s not always obvious from the outside that you have them. Common symptoms of gallstones include pain in the upper right quadrant of your abdomen, upper back pain, pain in the right shoulder, and nausea or vomiting.
If you develop any of the symptoms above, you should call your doctor right away. It’s especially important that you seek medical attention if any of the six risk factors listed below apply to you. Gallstones can happen to anybody, but you’re at increased risk if any of the following are true.
1. Genes
Unfortunately, the number-one risk factor for whether you’ll develop gallstones is entirely out of your control — it’s your genes. The genes your parents and grandparents passed along to you play a major role in whether or not you’re prone to getting buildups of cholesterol and bilirubin in your gallbladder. In fact, as many as 30% of cases of gallstones and related health problems can be blamed on genetics rather than lifestyle factors that can be changed. So, if you’re not sure whether you have a family history of gallbladder problems, it’s a good idea to ask any relatives you can whether they’ve ever had gallstones or a similar issue.
Why is there a genetic factor involved in the development of gallstones? Medical researchers don’t actually know right now. They do, however, have some guesses about why the problem tends to run in families. Some researchers think that defects in some types of proteins may contribute to the development of stones, and these defects can be passed along from parents to children. Moreover, ethnicity tends to play a role in gallstone development — women of native American and native Mexican descent are at highest risk for experiencing this problem, while people of east Asian and African descent are at lowest risk.
2. Weight
Weight can play a role in the development of gallstones for a couple of reasons. First, if you are overweight or obese, you’re more likely to develop gallstones in the first place. Many doctors believe this is because overweight and obese people have higher concentrations of cholesterol in their bile that solidifies into stones. But even thin people aren’t necessarily off the hook. If you’ve lost weight recently or are currently losing weight, you could be at increased risk, too. Quick fat loss forces your body to release more stone-causing cholesterol into your bile. The takeaway? Maintain a healthy weight to avoid gallstones, and if you need to lose weight, do it slowly and sustainably.
3. Diet
Your diet can either help heal your gallbladder or cause problems for it, so choose your meals carefully! If you’re worried about developing gallstones or other gallbladder problems, it’s best to choose a diet that’s high in whole grains and vegetables, but also low in fat. Fruits, legumes, and lean meats are other gallbladder-healthy choices. Steer clear of foods high in fat and cholesterol, which can contribute to buildups in your gallbladder. Most processed foods are full of the wrong kind of fat, not to mention refined flour and processed sugar — other common causes of inflammation in the body. In addition to eating a healthy diet, don’t forget to drink plenty of water!
4. Problem with Your Gallblader
Gallbladder disease — which can take many different forms — can play a role in the formation of gallstones. There are all kinds of gallbladder diseases and other problems that make your gallbladder function worse than it otherwise would. Some people’s gallbladders do not empty all the way, for example. This leads to some bile remaining in the gallbladder most of the time. Often, when this happens, the cholesterol in the bile starts building up to form stones. If you think you may have some kind of gallbladder issue that’s increasing your risk for gallstones, call your doctor to get checked out — gallbladder issues can be hard to diagnose at home.
5. Cholesterol in Bile
Gallstones can be caused by a number of different substances, but cholesterol is the main culprit. In fact, cholesterol is responsible for up to 80% of all gallstones! Your body needs cholesterol to function. If too much of this lipid builds up in your bile, it can start clumping together and forming stones. This is usually due to the liver — the liver makes more cholesterol than the gallbladder can process, so it starts to build up into deposits. If you suspect that your bile contains too much cholesterol, or if your doctor has advised you to get your cholesterol levels down, improving your diet is the main thing you can do to lower your risk of gallstones.
6. Poor Muscle Tone
Your gallbladder needs to be emptied out on a regular basis — having bile sitting in it all the time isn’t healthy. You can’t empty your gallbladder by thinking about it. Your body relies on involuntary internal muscle movements to get all the remaining bile out of your gallbladder. If you have poor internal muscle tone, your muscles may not be strong enough to squeeze all the bile out of your gallbladder. The result? Cholesterol starts to build up and form stones inside your gallbladder. Adopting a regular exercise routine and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle may help you improve your muscle tone for a healthier gallbladder.
