Common digestive conditions that affect adults. Gallstones are solid materials that have formed and clumped together over time, and they are formed in the gallbladder. They are pear-shaped organs located under the liver that store bile. Generally, gallstones cause pain, inflammation, and infections, which require medical attention. Gallstones are caused by being both overweight and underweight, unhealthy eating habits, incomplete emptying of the gallbladder, abnormal cholesterol in bile and high levels of bilirubin. This blog will help you understand the main causes of gallstones during adulthood.

Abnormal cholesterol in bile  

When the liver produces more cholesterol than the bile can dissolve, the excessive cholesterol builds up and forms crystals that regularly grow into gallstones. In a healthy gallbladder, your bile is balanced with a mixture of water, bile salts and cholesterol; for cholesterol to dissolve in water, it needs support from bile salts and phospholipids to cover it and keep it suspended as a liquid. Abnormally, it reaches a point where the liver dumps a large amount of cholesterol in the gallbladder, which results in the formation of gallstones.

Incomplete emptying of the gallbladder

A healthy gallbladder contracts regularly to release bile during digestion. If the gallbladder is not functioning properly, the bile becomes concentrated, increasing the chances of stone formation. Instead of flushing completely after eating, the gallbladder leaves behind a stuck pool of bile. This breakdown system is a dangerous trigger for digestive tissues and stone formation. Floating cholesterol that would generally be washed down in the small intestines is locked in, and they settle at the bottom of the organ, crashing and building into solid stones.

High levels of Bilirubin  

Bilirubin refers to a yellow pigment produced when red blood cells break down. High levels of bilirubin create an unevenness that causes pigment gallstones, which are dark brown stones made of calcium salts and bilirubin. Some medical conditions, such as liver diseases, infections and blood disorders, increase the bilirubin levels, leading to the formation of gallstones. When there is too much bilirubin in the bile, it can not dissolve; the extra bilirubin sticks together and hardens over time, finally growing into solid pigment gallstones.

Unhealthy eating habits 

A diet that is rich in fats, refined carbohydrates, and processed foods can increase the risk of gallstones and affect the chemical balance of your bile. When you skip a meal, your gallbladder can not give a signal to contract and empty its bile. The inactive gallbladder sits inside the organ, becomes highly concentrated, and eventually breaks down into stones. Losing weight in a short period of time due to low levels of calories forces the liver to release a large amount of extra cholesterol in the bile. A shortage of dietary fats prevents the gallbladder from emptying properly.

Conclusion

Gallstones are a common condition in adulthood because they take years of consuming low-fibre diets, carrying excessive body weight and undergoing rapid weight loss to catch up with body structure. Some gallstones are painless; others go to the extent of causing discomfort and massive complications. Maintain a good lifestyle, eating a nutritious diet and seeking medical guidance as soon as the symptoms show up to avoid serious complications. Khosla Stone Kidney and Surgical Centre offers exceptional care, diagnostic treatment, and follow-up services to ensure that patients recover properly and receive a personalized treatment plan based on the patient’s symptoms, overall well-being and location of the gallstones. Dr Rajesh Khosla provides a wide range of services, diagnoses, treatments, and gives physical examinations to accurately diagnose gallstones and related gallbladder conditions.

FAQ’s

• How do I know if I have developed gallstones?

When the gallstones block the flow of bile and irritate the gallbladder, it can result in vomiting after eating fatty foods.

• Can weight loss cause gallstones?

When you lose too much weight, your liver releases large amounts of extra cholesterol into bile, and your gallbladder may not empty as often as it should. These changes result in cholesterol crystallising into gallstones.

The formation of small stones in the gallbladder is called gallstones. The gallstone comes with symptoms such as a change in urine color, jaundice and abdominal pain. They consist of the substance called bilirubin. They can appear in small to large sizes; the most troublesome issue is that they don’t pass through the urine. But when the bile ducts are blocked, they cause a lot of pain. The person may feel nauseated, too. Gallstones can also affect pee. Through this blog, you will get to know about the symptoms of the gallstones in detail and about their prevention. 

The Common Symptoms Of Gallstones

Change in the urine colour

You might start noticing the change in colour of urine due to the presence of bilirubin. Not only this, but you may also feel the change in colour of your eyes and skin, indicating the signs of jaundice. 

Abdomen Pain

The pain of a gallstone is unbearable and felt in the lower abdomen. It may also target your shoulders and back. Sometimes it is difficult to detect the actual cause of pain until it is confirmed that it’s a gallstone. 

Vomiting And Nausea 

If you have a gallstone, then vomiting and nausea are common symptoms. It’s an indication of gallstones, and you need to take care of it. 

Urinary Tract Infections(UTIs)

. They can affect the immune system, causing changes during urination and even pain. 

Gallstone  Pancreatitis 

Sometimes it can cause problems related to the pancreas, leading to diarrhoea and vomiting and even pain during urination.

Obstruction During Urination 

With the presence of gallstones, you can feel obstruction during urination, which may affect the internal structure and cause severe pain. 

Blood Spots In Urine 

You might be surprised to know that gallstones can cause blood spots in urine. 

Effective Strategies To Prevent Gallstones

If you want to prevent gallstones, then the following are some effective strategies:-

Have A Balanced Diet: Add whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes to your daily diet. Also, add fiber-rich foods in your meals as fiber binds with the cholesterol in the gut and helps in digestion. 

Maintain Proper Weight: Obesity is the main reason for gallstones. If you want to lose weight, then do it properly because the excess weight loss compels the liver to secrete excess cholesterol, which is responsible for the formation of gallstones. 

Stay Physically Active: The inactive lifestyle of today’s generation promotes slow digestion, which causes the bile juice to deposit in the gall bladder. Set your goal to do moderate exercise for half an hour on a daily basis. 

Add Healthy Fats: Not all fats are bad for your body. The fats from the omega-3 fatty acids, nuts and olive oil are beneficial for your body. Reduce the intake of refined carbohydrates and trans fats.

Conclusion 

Sometimes the gallstones come without any symptoms and do not require any medical attention. But most of the time, it comes with symptoms and requires a medical emergency. You can keep your gall bladder healthy by prioritizing a balanced diet and proper weight. But if you are experiencing regular symptoms, consult Dr. Rajesh Khosla, the best urologist at Khosla Stone Kidney & Surgical Centre, without delay. He and his entire team provide you with the best and most advanced treatment methods for the stone-related disorders. He is a specialized and experienced surgeon who can perform the surgeries related to urological disorders or stone-related problems with accuracy. 

FAQ’S

• Can gallstones be dissolved naturally?

Minor gallstones can be dissolved with oral medication, but most of the time, the gallstones can be removed with a surgical method. 

• Who is at risk of developing gallstones?

Gallstones can affect people of any age group, but especially females around the age of 40 and overweight individuals are at risk of developing gallstones.