Who is prone to gallstones?

Gallstones are a common digestive problem that are primarily caused by genetic factors, an unhealthy lifestyle, and certain physiological factors. People with a family history of gallstones are at a higher risk because genetics play an important role in cholesterol metabolism. High-fat, high-cholesterol foods in the diet increase the risk of gallstones, so people with an improper diet are also at high risk. Obese people are more susceptible to this disease due to higher cholesterol levels in their bodies. Pregnant women and women taking hormone replacement therapy may experience changes in bile composition due to hormonal changes, which increases the risk of stone formation. People with certain diseases such as diabetes and cirrhosis are more susceptible to gallstones due to metabolic changes and abnormal bile secretion.

To explain these factors, genetic factors play an important role in the development of gallstones, especially when there is a first-generation relative suffering from the disease, the chance of developing the disease increases significantly. Environmental factors include dietary habits, such as long-term intake of high-fat, high-sugar foods and a low-fiber diet, which lead to increased cholesterol saturation in bile, thereby promoting stone formation. Overweight people have high cholesterol levels that accumulate in the bile, promoting the formation of stones. At the same time, rapid weight loss causes an imbalance in fat metabolism in the body, making the bile composition unstable. Pregnant women and postmenopausal women have changes in estrogen levels, which reduces the efficiency of gallbladder emptying and increases the risk of stones. Diabetic patients are also a high-risk group for gallstones because of unstable blood sugar, which affects the gallbladder contraction function and leads to bile stasis.

To explain these factors, genetic factors play an important role in the development of gallstones, especially when there is a first-generation relative suffering from the disease, the chance of developing the disease increases significantly. Environmental factors include dietary habits, such as long-term intake of high-fat, high-sugar foods and a low-fiber diet, which lead to increased cholesterol saturation in bile, thereby promoting stone formation. Overweight people have high cholesterol levels that accumulate in the bile, promoting the formation of stones. At the same time, rapid weight loss causes an imbalance in fat metabolism in the body, making the bile composition unstable. Pregnant women and postmenopausal women have changes in estrogen levels, which reduces the efficiency of gallbladder emptying and increases the risk of stones. Diabetic patients are also a high-risk group for gallstones because of unstable blood sugar, which affects the gallbladder contraction function and leads to bile stasis.

To prevent gallstones, it is recommended to maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet, control the intake of fat and cholesterol in the diet, and consume more fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains to increase the amount of dietary fiber. At the same time, moderate physical exercise can help control weight, promote bile flow, and reduce the risk of stones. For women, a healthy weight should be maintained by adjusting diet and exercising appropriately, rather than relying on rapid weight loss. Regular health checks are especially important for high-risk groups to facilitate early detection and intervention. For families with a history of gallstones, more attention should be paid to health checks and lifestyle management.