Who is prone to gallstones?

Gallstones are a common digestive system disease. Certain groups of people are more likely to develop this disease due to specific physiological, lifestyle or genetic factors, mainly including obese people, people who have a long-term high-fat diet, women and people with a family history of the disease.

Obesity can lead to increased cholesterol levels in bile, making it easy to form gallstones; and a regular high-fat diet can aggravate bile secretion disorders and increase the burden on the gallbladder. Women have higher estrogen levels, especially those who are pregnant or often take oral contraceptives, which can easily affect cholesterol metabolism and increase the risk of gallstones. In terms of genetic factors, if a direct relative has gallstones, the probability of developing the disease will increase. Environmental factors should not be ignored either. Sitting for a long time, lack of exercise, insufficient water intake or overeating can increase the risk of gallstones.

In order to reduce the risk of gallstones, it is recommended to first adjust the diet structure, eat more fiber-rich foods, such as fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and reduce the intake of sugar and fat. Maintaining a healthy weight is another key. Rapid weight loss or extreme dieting should be avoided because these methods can cause bile metabolism disorders. Regular exercise and maintaining normal gallbladder peristalsis can also effectively prevent gallstones. Good drinking habits are equally important. Drinking 1500-2000 ml of water per day can help dilute bile and reduce stone formation.

If you have symptoms such as pain in the right upper abdomen, nausea or jaundice, you should see a doctor immediately and get a clear diagnosis through ultrasound or CT scan. Once diagnosed, depending on the size of the stones and the severity of the condition, treatments such as stone-dissolving drugs (such as ursodeoxycholic acid), cholecystectomy or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy can be used. Healthy lifestyle habits are an important strategy for preventing and managing gallstones, so whether you are in a high-risk group or not, you should actively pay attention to your lifestyle and make every day healthier.