Gallstones are stones that are formed in the gallbladder due to bile components.

Medically, cholelithiasis is the term that refers to the presence of stones in the gallbladder. While a tea-colored urine is one of the hallmark signs of cholelithiasis, the disorder may also lead to complications like gallbladder inflammation, pancreas inflammation, and liver inflammation.

Causes

Health Line lists three causes of gallstones. They are cholesterol stone, bilirubin, and concentrated bile. As per the publication, gallstones may form when the amount of cholesterol in the bile secreted by the liver is too high. In anatomy and physiology, bile is secreted by the liver and it is responsible for breaking down cholesterol. But then, if the amount of cholesterol is greater than the amount the bile can dissolve, stones may develop.

Meanwhile, bilirubin is a chemical byproduct of red blood cell or RBC production. Sometimes, the liver overproduces bilirubin, such as in conditions like liver cirrhosis and some blood disorders. When this happens, the gallbladder may not be able to break down the excess bilirubin. Thus, hard substances like gallstones are produced.

Concentrated bile is another cause of gallbladder stone formation. As per the publication, it is normal for the gallbladder to empty bile to maintain its health and proper function. However, failure to empty bile results to its overconcentration, which further results to gallstone formation.

Signs and Symptoms

The presence of gallstones in the bladder presents uncomfortable symptoms. According to Web MD, these include pain in the upper abdomen and upper back, which can last for several hours. The person may also experience nausea and vomiting, as well as other digestive problems like gas, heartburn, indigestion, and bloating.

To diagnose the disorder, tests like blood tests, ultrasound, computed tomography scan, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, cholescintigraphy, endoscopic ultrasound, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography may be performed.

Prevention

Prevention is better than cure, so the following are preventive measures for gallstone formation.

Diet

Diet plays a vital role in the prevention of gallstone formation. According to NHS UK, foods high in saturated fat should be avoided. These include meat pies, sausages and fatty meat cuts, butter, lard, ghee, cream, hard cheeses, cakes, biscuits, and foods that have palm or coconut oil. The diet should be healthy and balanced, which means a combination of fruits, vegetables, and wholegrains. Researchers have also found that eating nuts like cashews aid in the decrease of the risk of gallstone formation. As per the publication, consuming small amounts of alcohol may also reduce the risk of developing gallstones; but then, drinking more than 14 alcohol units weekly is not advisable because it can lead to liver problems.

Weight Management

Managing one’s weight is another way to prevent the formation of gallstones, since fat, female, and 40s are some of the risk factors for gallstone development. According to Web MD, a person should aim for a weight loss of one pound or half kilogram to 1.5 pound or 0.7 kilogram per week. This can be achieved through the combination of proper diet and exercise.

The presence of stones in the gallbladder may not be as severe as colon cancer. However, it causes a certain degree of discomfort to person, which adversely affects his activities of daily living. Thus, it is important to seek medical treatment and care if the condition is already present. Nonetheless, it is still best to prevent the disorder from taking place.