Gallstones, which are solid particles growing in the gall bladder, can be of two types—stones formed from excessive cholesterol deposits in the bile, or pigment stones formed by too much bilirubin in the bile. Globally, gallbladder diseases are quite high! Moreover, a significant portion of this affected population happens to be the Native Americans or Mexican Americans. Gallstones vary in sizes, but they can seriously impair the metabolic system if not prevented at an early stage of development. Gallbladder stones are treated with the latest treatment procedures in facilities like Neoalta Clinic.
According to research studies (NIDDK), either an excessive flow of cholesterol in the bile or too much bilirubin in bile with inadequate bile salts can cause gallstones. Cholesterol gallstones affect more than three-fourth of the American population affected by gallstones.
So, what are the common risk factors that make such a high proportion of the global population vulnerable to developing gallstones?
The common risk factors
According to most medical literature, the five risk factors of gallstones are:
- Heredity: Individuals with a family history of gallstones are more likely to develop gallstones than individuals who do not have a family history of gallstones.
- Gender: Women are twice as likely to develop gallstones as men. Also, older women are more at risk than younger women.
- Age: Individuals older than 55 or 60 are at high risk of developing gallstones.
- Obesity: Overweight individuals are at high risk of developing gallstones.
- Ethnicity: Native and Mexican Americans are racially predisposed to developing gallstones.
Another prominent factor causing gallstones is rapid weight loss regimens, which can be as threatening as obesity. Additionally, you can review this page for some general information on gallbladder stones: Gall Bladder Stone. This excellent overview information includes the common treatment procedures available to gallstone patients.
How to reduce the risks of gallstones
Our expert dietitian at Neoalta clinic offers an effective Gallstone Prevention Diet. We recommend a diet low in fat and high in fiber which reportedly helps to prevent the development of gallstones. This article further mentions that processed red meat, fried food, desserts are all enemies of the gall bladder as such food items promote obesity.
On the other hand, an abrupt weight-loss program can be as harmful as weight gain because sudden weight loss triggers high cholesterol formation in the digestive system. Thus high-risk individuals are advised to consult a dietician to maintain ideal body weight. A healthy diet and optimum body weight are the best preventive measures for gallstones.
In Basic Risk Factors of Gallstones, a similar dietary regimen has been proposed for mitigating the risks of developing gallstones.