The ManicaPost
Dr Tendai Zuze
FIRST of all, gallstones are not real stones. They are hardened deposits of digestive fluid that can form in your gallbladder (nduru).
The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ on the right side of your abdomen, just beneath your liver. It holds a digestive fluid made by the liver called bile that’s released into your small intestine to aid digestion. Gallstones range in size from as small as a grain of sand to as large as a golf ball. Some people develop just one gallstone, while others develop many gallstones at the same time.
The following situations are thought to cause gallstones:
Your bile contains too much cholesterol. Normally, your bile contains enough chemicals to dissolve the cholesterol excreted by your liver. But if your liver excretes more cholesterol than your bile can dissolve, the excess cholesterol may form into crystals and eventually into stones.
Your bile contains too much bilirubin. Bilirubin is a chemical that’s produced when your body breaks down red blood cells. Certain conditions cause the liver to make too much bilirubin, including liver cirrhosis, biliary tract infections and certain blood disorders. The excess bilirubin contributes to gallstone formation.
Your gallbladder doesn’t empty correctly. If your gallbladder doesn’t empty completely or often enough, bile may become very concentrated, contributing to the formation of gallstones.
You are more likely to get gallstones if:
You’re obese. This is one of the biggest risk factors. Obesity can raise your cholesterol level and also make it harder for the gallbladder to empty completely.
You take birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy for menopause symptoms, or are pregnant. The extra oestrogen is the problem. It can increase cholesterol and make it harder for the gallbladder to empty.
You have diabetes. People with this condition tend to have higher levels of triglycerides (a type of blood fat), which is a risk factor for gallstones.
You take medicine to lower your cholesterol. Some of these drugs boost the amount of cholesterol in bile, which may increase your chances of getting cholesterol stones.
You lost weight too quickly. Your liver makes extra cholesterol, which may lead to gallstones.
You’re fasting. Your gallbladder may not squeeze as much.
Gallstones are also more likely in women,in older people and if you have a family history.
Gallstones may cause no signs or symptoms. If a gallstone lodges in a duct and causes a blockage, the resulting signs and symptoms may include:
Sudden and rapidly intensifying pain in the upper right portion of your abdomen
Sudden and rapidly intensifying pain in the centre of your abdomen, just below your breastbone
Back pain between your shoulder blades
Pain in your right shoulder
Nausea, vomiting and other digestive problems including bloating, indigestion, heartburn and gas.
Gallstones don’t always need to be treated. When they are causing significant symptoms, however, there are various operations that can be done to remove either the stones or the entire gallbladder. There are also medications which can be taken to dissolve some types of stones. These medications may take years to work.
To reduce your chance of getting gallstones, do the following:
Don’t skip meals. Try to stick to your usual mealtimes each day. Skipping meals or fasting can increase the risk of gallstones.
Lose weight slowly. If you need to lose weight, go slow. Rapid weight loss can increase the risk of gallstones. Aim to lose a maximum of 0.5 to 1 kilogram a week.
Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity and being overweight increase the risk of gallstones. Work to achieve a healthy weight by reducing the number of calories you eat and increasing the amount of physical activity you get. Once you achieve a healthy weight, work to maintain that weight by continuing your healthy diet and continuing to exercise.
If you think your symptoms are from gallstones, please visit your doctor.
