How do gallstones develop?

05-05-2017

Having gallstones is a common problem, it affects up to 15 % of the general population. The only way to permanently cure the problem is to remove the gallbladder altogether. However knowing this pear-shaped organ’s functions and the risks factors for the development of gallstones could prevent the illness.

What is the bile?

Bile is a greenish-yellow liquid which is made by your liver and stored in your gallbladder. Bile contains a lot of different components but the main ones are water, cholesterol and bilirubin, biliverdin – which gives bile its characteristic color. Your body can produce up to 1 liter bile a day.

The main functions of your bile is to assist with fat digestion and absorption.

How do gallstones develop?

When we say gallstones, of course we don’t mean actual stones: these are crystals made up from bile. They can grow bigger as more crystals are accumulating into the formation.

There are two types of gallstones: cholesterol and pigment stones.

Cholesterol stones are the most common ones. They are usually greenish-yellow in color and they’re made out of cholesterol. This mostly occurs when the liver produces more cholesterol than it should.

Pigment stones are much rarer, they’re darker in color and smaller than cholesterol stones. Pigment stones’ main component is the bilirubin your liver makes. However this happens mostly when you have other diseases (different liver and gallbladder problems) as well which make you more prone to developing pigment stones.

Who’s at more risk for developing gallstones?

There are numerous reasons and risk factors why gallstones develop in the first place. Even so, often doctors won’t find the exact cause. But our lifestyle choices and eating habits can and do have an influence on our chances of developing gallstones

Let’s see the most common risk factors:

Genetics play an important role, if anyone in your family had gallstones before, you’re more likely to have it
Being obese or overweight: you produce more cholesterol which makes you more prone to cholesterol stones
Even with normal weight, high cholesterol levels in your system can lead to gallstones
Eating a high-fat diet
Being a woman (especially when pregnant or taking hormone replacement therapy)
Having diabetes
Other diseases (Chron’s disease, gallbladder problems)
When following a strict diet or fasting (during this time your gallbladder releases the bile less often)

Read about our state-of-the-art treatment options for gallstones here.

Laparoscopic or open gallbladder removal surgery?

These days up to 90% of gallbladder removal is done with laparoscope which means there is no big incision on the abdomen, and faster recovery time.

Dietary guidelines after gallbladder removal

As you won’t have a gallbladder to store the bile that’s produced, you’ll need some time to adjust to these new changes. You can help your body to adapt to the circumstances sooner by following a special diet.