What are the risk factors for gallstones?

The main causes of gallstones include genetics, environment, unhealthy diet and abnormal metabolism in the body. The interaction of multiple factors may cause cholesterol or bile salt crystals to deposit in the gallbladder or bile duct to form stones.

Genetic susceptibility is one of the important risks of gallstones. If there is a history of gallstones in the family, the risk of the disease in offspring may increase significantly. In terms of environment and lifestyle, a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet and long-term lack of exercise are common causes of gallstones. Excessive weight, rapid weight loss, and dietary fiber-deficient eating habits are closely related to gallstones. Among physiological factors, women are more susceptible to cholesterol saturation due to higher estrogen levels, and during pregnancy, the gallbladder activity slows down, further increasing the risk of disease. Certain diseases such as diabetes, cirrhosis, and long-term medication (such as hormone drugs, lipid-lowering drugs) may also cause stones due to changes in bile composition or gallbladder movement.

To prevent or relieve gallstones, you need to start with your lifestyle habits, increase dietary fiber in your diet (such as oats, whole-wheat foods), and control fat and cholesterol intake. Maintaining regular exercise helps with metabolic balance, and avoiding excessive weight fluctuations is the key. For those diagnosed with gallstones, mild cases can be treated with lithotripsy drugs, such as oral ursodeoxycholic acid; if severe complications (such as acute cholecystitis, bile duct obstruction) occur, surgery may need to be considered, including laparoscopic cholecystectomy, percutaneous gallbladder puncture and drainage, etc. Patients with persistent upper abdominal colic or jaundice should seek medical attention as soon as possible to avoid worsening of the condition.

Paying attention to your own health and learning to recognize danger signs are the keys to preventing and treating gallstones. High-risk groups should especially have regular physical examinations to determine the health of their bile ducts. Maintaining a balanced diet and exercising moderately in life can not only prevent gallstones, but also improve overall health, so that no matter what health problems you face in the future, you can calmly deal with them.