Cholesterol stones form when gallbladder doesn’t empty the way it should. They also form when bile has:
- Too much cholesterol
- Too much of a yellowish pigment called bilirubin
- Not enough bile salts
There is no known Causes of pigment stones but these are more common in people who have:
- A liver disease (cirrhosis) where scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue
- An infection in the vessels that transport bile (biliary tract infection)
- Blood disorders that are passed from parent to child (hereditary) such as sickle cell anemia
Some people have a higher Risk for gallstones. These include:
- Native Americans - They have the highest rates of gallstones in the U.S. This may be genetic as they have very high levels of cholesterol in their bile.
- Mexican Americans - They have higher than average rates of gallstones.
- Women - They are twice as likely to have gallstones as men.
- People over age 60 - Risk for gallstones increases with age.
- People with a family history of gallstones - Gallstones seem to run in some families (inherited). There may be a genetic link.
Health issues that may raise Risk for gallstones include:
- Obesity. This is a major Risk factor, mainly for women.
- Estrogen. Women may have extra estrogen from pregnancy, hormone replacement therapy, or birth control pills. This seems to raise cholesterol levels in bile and slow down gallbladder movement. Both can lead to gallstones.
- Diet. Eating a high-fat, high-cholesterol, or low-fiber diet raises Risk. They lead to more cholesterol in the bile and reduced gall bladder emptying.
- Cholesterol-lowering medicines. These medicines can increase the amount of cholesterol in bile.
- Diabetes. People with diabetes often have high levels of fatty acids (triglycerides). This raises the Risk for gallstones.
- Very fast weight loss. As the body processes fat during very fast weight loss, the liver sends out extra cholesterol into bile.
- Not eating for a few days (prolonged fasting). Fasting slows down gallbladder movement. Over time, bile has too much cholesterol.
Some people with gallstones don't have any Symptoms. These stones are called silent stones. They don't stop the gallbladder, liver, or pancreas from working properly. In most cases they don't need to be treated. Most gallstones don’t cause Symptoms right away.
Gallstone Symptoms (also called a gallbladder attack) may happen very suddenly. They often:
- Begin when gallstones get bigger
- Happen when the stones start to block bile ducts
- Occur after a fatty meal or at night
Each person’s Symptoms may vary. Symptoms may include:
- Steady, severe pain in upper belly (abdomen) that quickly gets worse
- Pain in back between the shoulder blades
- Pain in right shoulder
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Chills
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
See healthcare provide ifhave any of these Symptoms during or after a gallbladder attack:
- Pain that lasts more than 5 hours
- Sweating
- Chills
- Low-grade fever
- Yellowish color of the skin or whites of the eyes
- Clay-colored stools
Gall bladder stones may cause swelling and infection of gall bladder (acute cholecystitis),blockage of outflow (mucocoele) and rupture of GB. Stone may pass into bile ducts to cause jaundice and intestinal obstruction.
