The gallbladder stone, scientifically called gallstone or cholelithiasis, is the accumulation of calcium and cholesterol within the gallbladder caused by high blood cholesterol levels, poor diet, obesity or diabetes, for example.
Stones can arise in three situations involving bile, which is a liquid produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder that is responsible for assisting in the process of digesting fat:
- Bile with a lot of cholesterol: excess cholesterol in bile cannot be eliminated, leading to the formation of stones; Bile with a lot of bilirubin: it happens when there are problems in the liver or blood, leading to high bilirubin production; Concentrated bile: happens when the gallbladder is unable to eliminate its content, which makes bile very concentrated and favors the formation of stones in the gallbladder.
Generally, stones in the gallbladder do not cause symptoms and, therefore, do not need treatment, being eliminated by the feces. However, when they are very large, they can become trapped in the bile ducts and cause inflammation in the gallbladder, characterized by severe abdominal pain that can last up to 5 hours. See the 6 symptoms of gallstones.
Cholelithiasis is not serious and can usually be treated with medication and a low-fat diet, with gallbladder surgery only used in the most severe cases.
7 main causes of gallstones
-
High-fat diet: Bile is responsible for assisting in the fat digestion process, however, in a high-fat, low-fiber diet, fat digestion is not complete because there is an excess. Thus, the formation of cholesterol stones in the gallbladder occurs more easily, which are the most common types of stone to appear. See what LDL cholesterol is and how to lower it.
Overweight or obesity: Obese or overweight people usually have high levels of LDL, also called bad cholesterol, and bile is unable to dissolve all cholesterol, which favors the formation of stones in the gallbladder.
Cirrhosis: In cirrhosis, the production of bile by the liver is impaired, bile being unable to perform its role in the body and favoring the formation of stones in the gallbladder. Cirrhosis can be caused either by excessive alcohol consumption or prolonged use of medications, such as ceftriaxone, which is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections and which should be administered with caution to people who have liver problems because of their toxicity. Understand a little more about cirrhosis.
Sedentary lifestyle: A sedentary person is one who does not practice any type of physical activity, which favors the accumulation of abdominal fat and increased cholesterol, leading to the formation of stones. Check out 5 tips to get out of sedentary lifestyle.
Diabetes mellitus: In diabetes there is a high concentration of triglycerides, which increases the chances of the appearance of stones. Understand what diabetes mellitus is and how it is treated.
Pregnancy: The presence of stone in the gallbladder is more frequent during pregnancy, as hormonal changes reduce the speed of emptying of the gallbladder, facilitating the accumulation of cholesterol inside it. Learn more about gall bladder in pregnancy.
Long-term use of contraceptives: The use of contraceptives can increase the amount of estrogen, which stimulates the precipitation of cholesterol and the relaxation of the gallbladder, promoting sedimentation of cholesterol and salts. Thus, women are more likely to have gallstones.
When to go to the doctor
It is recommended to go to the doctor when symptoms appear that can last more than 1 hour, such as:
- Abdominal pain on the right side after a meal; Fever above 38ยบ C and headache; Back pain; Nausea and vomiting; Yellow skin and eyes; Diarrhea and gas; Loss of appetite.
Treatment for gall bladder should be done by a gastroenterologist when the patient has symptoms and usually includes the use of shock waves or gall bladder remedies, such as Ursodiol, which help to destroy and dissolve the stone, eliminating it through the stool. Learn more about gallstone treatment.
In the most severe cases, in which the patient has frequent biliary crises or severe symptoms, surgery may be necessary to remove the gallbladder and reduce the chances of forming new stones.
In addition, it is also recommended that patients with cholelithiasis eat a low-fat diet, avoiding fried foods, sausages or snacks, which can lead to increased stones and discomfort. Check out some tips on what you can or cannot eat during gallstone treatment:
