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Although research is still going on regarding the causes behind the formation of gallbladder stones, they seem to form when the cholesterol has too much bilirubin, cholesterol, lack of bile salts, or the gallbladder is not functioning properly. Some people are more likely to be affected by the gallbladder stones compared to other due to their age, certain diseases, obesity, and wrong diets.

Researchers believe that gallstones occur when the bile is heavily saturated with cholesterol. When the cholesterol is more than what can be dissolved by the bile, then the cholesterol crystallizes and turns into stones.Liver cirrhosis, biliary tract infection, and genetic blood disorders can also lead to gallstones. There are several risk factors that increase your probability of getting gallbladder stones and those have been discussed below.

• Genetics

Your chances of developing gallstones are greater if you have a family history of it. Many studies have shown that genetics only make up for about twenty-five percent of the total risk for getting gallbladder stones, but nevertheless, the risk factor still exists. The Native Americans have a genetic disposition of secreting high levels of cholesterol in the bile. Thus, they have a greater probability of getting gallbladder stones.

• Obesity

A crucial risk factor for gallbladder stones is obesity. Research has shown that the women who have high BMI are three times more likely to develop gallbladder stones compared to women with healthy BMI. It is still unclear what makes obesity a high risk factor for gallstones. Research suggests that obese people have too much production of cholesterol in the liver. This excess cholesterol leads to saturation in your gallbladder.

• Rapid weight loss

People who lose significant amounts of weight rapidly have a greater risk of gallbladder stones. In fact, gallbladder stones are the foremost medical complication arising out of intentional weight loss. In fact, gallbladder stones are also commonly seen in patients who lose weight rapidly after gastric bypass surgery. In such cases, the stones occur within the initial months of the surgery.

• Wrong diet

Dieting can lead to a shift in the balance of cholesterol and bile salts in your gallbladder. The quantity of bile salts decrease whereas the level of cholesterol increases. Dieters have the common habit of going for long periods without eating and that can decrease contractions of the gallbladder. Gallstones form when the gallbladder does not contract enough for emptying the bile. You should aim for gradual weight loss to avoid the complications arising from gallbladder stones.

Other risk factors for gallbladder stones

Gallstones involve several other risk factors like:

• Age forty or over
• Women are at a greater risk
• Ethnicity (Mexican American and Native American)
• Medication for lowering cholesterol
• High levels of triglyceride and estrogen
• Low levels of HDL cholesterol
• Crohn's disease
• Diabetes
• Liver disease
• Infection of Bile duct
• Anemia
• Cirrhosis

When gallbladder stones become an emergency
Gallbladder stones can turn into serious complications. Some of the symptoms that you must discuss with the gall bladder stone doctor right away include painful attacks accompanied by chills, sweating, fever, clay-colored stool, or jaundice. If severe abdominal pain comes with diarrhea or vomiting, you must get medical attention right away.

About the RG Hospital

RG Stone Hospital, the best urology hospital in India believes in delivering world-class healthcare facilities and services through 15 Super Specialty Urology Centers across the country. We have carved a strong presence in the healthcare domain in India by our state-of-the-art facilities, a team of expert doctors including urologists, nephrologists, gynaecologists, kidney stone specialists and more.