| Â | | | | red blood cells in the blood vessels; |
| | | | |
| The gallbladder is a small organ located in | | | | · Unhealthy diet - A diet too rich in |
| the abdomen, under the liver. It stores bile | | | | cholesterol and low in fiber increases the |
| secreted by the liver, which is released when | | | | risk of gallstones; |
| fat enters the digestive tract. The bile | | | | |
| helps to emulsify fats of food and facilitate | | | | · Obesity and diabetes - obesity and |
| their digestion. Among some people, this | | | | diabetes also increase the risk; they are |
| process does not work properly; the | | | | often seen in people suffering of gallstones; |
| gallbladder cannot empty enough (obstruction | | | | |
| of the biliary tract). Therefore, the bile | | | | · Sex and pregnancy - Women are more |
| promotes cholesterol crystallization | | | | frequently affected than men are. Hormones |
| resulting in gallstones formation. | | | | encourage formation of calculations; |
| | | | pregnancy is particularly conducive to |
| What are the causes of gallstones? | | | | lithogenesis (formation of calculi or |
| | | | stones). |
| Gallstones are due to the retention of bile | | | | |
| from the gallbladder for a long period of | | | | How can you reduce the risk of gallstones? |
| time. Gallstones can be also caused by | | | | |
| clumping of cholesterol and various other | | | | To reduce the risk of gallstones in the |
| elements such calcium in large quantities in | | | | bladder, you must have a healthy and balanced |
| the gallbladder. | | | | diet. It is recommended to consume a lot of |
| | | | dietary fiber, vegetables and many fruits. |
| Gallstones can be formed of cholesterol, and | | | | These foods play an important role in the |
| are usually green, white or yellow | | | | elimination of cholesterol responsible for |
| (Cholesterol stones) and represent | | | | forming stones. Avoid eating too much fat and |
| approximately 80% of gallstones. They may | | | | calorie foods. Besides diet, a regular |
| also appear brown or dark (Pigment stones), | | | | physical exercise is crucial. |
| while containing a high concentration of bile | | | | |
| pigments. They can also contain calcium | | | | What are the complications of gallstones? |
| salts, which make them visible to the X-ray. | | | | |
| | | | The risk of gallstones to turn into other |
| Risk factors of gallstones: | | | | serious diseases cannot be ignored. It is |
| | | | essential to treat any gallbladder infection |
| · Age - the risk of gallstones | | | | before complications. If left untreated, |
| increases beyond 40 years of age; | | | | symptomatic gallstones can cause cirrhosis of |
| | | | the liver. There are also other major risks |
| · Family history - There is also a | | | | such as cholecystitis (inflammation of the |
| genetic factor in developing gallbladder | | | | gallbladder), pancreatitis (inflammation of |
| stones; | | | | the pancreas), cholangitis (inflammation of |
| | | | the bile duct), jaundice or a degeneration |
| · Disorders chronic and inflammatory | | | | into cancer. |
| of the colon such as Crohn's disease; | | | | |
| | | | Are there any natural treatments? |
| · Hemolysis - abnormal breakdown of | | | | |