Gallbladder calculus, scientifically called gallstone or cholelithiase, is the accumulation of calcium and cholesterol in the gallbladder caused by high blood cholesterol, poor diet, obesity or diabetes, for example.
The stones appear mainly due to three different situations:
- Generally.
- Gallbladder stones do not cause symptoms and therefore do not require treatment.
- Being removed by stool.
- However.
- When they are very large.
- They can get stuck in the bile ducts and cause inflammation of the gallbladder.
- Characterized by severe abdominal pain that can last up to 5 hours and needs to be treated quickly in the hospital.
- See the 6 symptoms of gallstones.
Some of the main causes that contribute to the development of gallstones are:
Bile is responsible for helping the process of digestion of fats, however, in a diet high in fat and low in fiber, the digestion of fats ends up being 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 stones. See what LDL cholesterol is and how to reduce it.
Obese or overweight people usually have high LDL levels, also called bad cholesterol, as bile can’t dissolve all cholesterol, which promotes gallstone formation.
In cirrhosis, bile production by the liver is affected, and bile cannot play its role in the body and promotes the formation of gallbladder stones. Cirrhosis can be caused by excessive alcohol consumption or prolonged use of medications, such as ceftriaxone, which is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections and should be administered with caution in people with liver problems due to its toxicity. . Learn more about cirrhosis.
The sedentary person is the one who does not perform any type of physical activity, which favors the accumulation of abdominal fat and the increase of cholesterol, resulting in the formation of stones. Discover 5 tips for getting out of physical inactivity.
In diabetes, there is a high concentration of triglycerides, which increases the chances of developing stones. Understand what diabetes mellitus is and how it’s treated.
The presence of gallbladder stones is more common during pregnancy, as hormonal changes reduce the rate at which the gallbladder is drained, facilitating the buildup of cholesterol inside. Learn more about the gallbladder during pregnancy.
The use of contraceptives can increase the amount of estrogen, which stimulates cholesterol precipitation and gallbladder relaxation, favoring the sedimentation of cholesterol and salts. Therefore, women are more likely to have gallstones.
It is recommended to see your doctor when symptoms may last longer than an hour, such as:
Treatment of the gallbladder should be performed by a gastroenterologist when the patient has symptoms and usually includes the use of shock waves or gallbladder remedies, such as ursodiol, which help destroy and dissolve the stone by eliminating it. through the stool. Learn more about treating gallstones.
In more severe cases, where the patient has frequent bile attacks or severe symptoms, surgery may be needed to remove the gallbladder and reduce the risk of further stones.
In addition, patients with celelitiase are also advised to follow a low-fat diet, avoiding frying, sausages or snacks, which can cause an increase in stones and discomfort. See some tips on what you can and can’t eat while treating gallstones: