Causes of Gallstones
Different kinds of stones have different causes and different risk factors. Cholesterol stones are believed to be more common among Fat and Fertile Females of Forty years and above.
- Obesity is a major risk factor. Obese people produce and secrete higher amounts of cholesterol. This increases the risk for development of cholesterol stones.
- Women who have experienced multiple pregnancies are more prone to gallstones because of the high levels of the hormone progesterone during pregnancy. This hormone reduces the contractility of the gallbladder and leads to retention of bile. Prolonged retention can lead to cholesterol stones.
- Birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy: The hormonal changes with these drugs mimic pregnancy and therefore increase the risk of gallstones.
- Females, especially in the reproductive age, are more likely to develop cholesterol stones than males. The female-to-male ratio is 4:1.1 This is due to the female hormone estrogen that increases cholesterol secretion. However, with age this difference between the two sex’s decreases.
- Gallstones continue to form throughout life and the prevalence is greatest in the elderly age group.
- Predisposition to cholesterol stones is hereditary in 25% of cases. There are many different genes that contribute to this risk.
- Diet rich in refined carbohydrates and saturated fats is associated with a higher risk for gallstones.2
Black pigment gallstones are seen more often in individuals whose hemoglobin breaks down rapidly leading to increased production of the bile pigment bilirubin. This includes those with following:
- Bleeding disorders such as sickle cell anemia, hereditary spherocytosis and beta thalassemia.
- Liver cirrhosis.
Brown pigment stones are formed when cholesterol stones are colonized with bacteria. Enzymes from these bacteria react with bilirubin conjugates and fatty acids. Over time, calcium salts may accumulate on these cholesterol stones to produce mixed stones. Both men and women are equally at risk of developing pigment stones.
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: July 08,2009