Why do you have gallstones?

The formation of gallstones is mainly due to the combined effects of bile composition imbalance, genetic factors, lifestyle habits and disease factors. The imbalance of the proportion of cholesterol, bile salts and lecithin in bile can easily lead to crystal deposition and then form stones.

Heredity is one of the important causes of gallstones. If multiple people in a family suffer from gallstones, the risk of gallstone formation may increase. Lifestyle habits such as excessive intake of high-fat and high-cholesterol foods or insufficient fiber intake, as well as long-term irregular diets, may increase the concentration of cholesterol in bile and induce stones. In addition, obesity, rapid weight loss, or sitting for long periods of time and doing little exercise will also affect the normal emptying of the gallbladder to a certain extent, increasing the risk. Physiological factors such as changes in female hormones (pregnancy, oral contraceptives) and aging can cause abnormal cholesterol metabolism, which is the reason for the high incidence of gallstones in women. Certain diseases such as diabetes, cirrhosis, or parasites infected through the bile tract may also provide conditions for the formation of stones.

Heredity is one of the important causes of gallstones. If multiple people in a family suffer from gallstones, the risk of gallstone formation may increase. Lifestyle habits such as excessive intake of high-fat and high-cholesterol foods or insufficient fiber intake, as well as long-term irregular diets, may increase the concentration of cholesterol in bile and induce stones. In addition, obesity, rapid weight loss, or sitting for long periods of time and doing little exercise will also affect the normal emptying of the gallbladder to a certain extent, increasing the risk. Physiological factors such as changes in female hormones (pregnancy, oral contraceptives) and aging can cause abnormal cholesterol metabolism, which is the reason for the high incidence of gallstones in women. Certain diseases such as diabetes, cirrhosis, or parasites infected through the bile tract may also provide conditions for the formation of stones.

In order to prevent or alleviate the risk of gallstones, it is recommended to pay attention to a balanced diet, reduce high-fat and high-cholesterol foods, consume more vegetables and fruits to increase dietary fiber, maintain proper exercise and maintain a stable weight. If gallstones are confirmed, stone dissolution drugs (such as ursodeoxycholic acid), extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy or surgical treatment (laparoscopic cholecystectomy is more common in the preferred treatment method); the specific plan should be carried out under the guidance of a professional doctor according to the condition.