Who is at risk for gallstones?
Certain people have a higher risk of developing gallstones than others:
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- Women are more likely to develop gallstones than men. Extra estrogen can
increase cholesterol levels in bile and decrease gallbladder contractions, which
may cause gallstones to form. Women may have extra estrogen due to pregnancy,
hormone replacement therapy, or birth control pills.
- People over age 40 are more likely to develop gallstones than younger
people.
- People with a family history of gallstones have a higher risk.
- American Indians have genetic factors that increase the amount of
cholesterol in their bile. In fact, American Indians have the highest rate of
gallstones in the United States—almost 65 percent of women and 30 percent of men
have gallstones.
- Mexican Americans are at higher risk of developing gallstones.
Other factors that affect a person’s risk of gallstones include
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- Obesity. People who are obese, especially women, have
increased risk of developing gallstones. Obesity increases the amount of
cholesterol in bile, which can cause stone formation.
- Rapid weight loss. As the body breaks down fat during
prolonged fasting and rapid weight loss, the liver secretes extra cholesterol
into bile. Rapid weight loss can also prevent the gallbladder from emptying
properly. Low-calorie diets and bariatric surgery—surgery that limits the amount
of food a person can eat or digest—lead to rapid weight loss and increased risk
of gallstones.
- Diet. Research suggests diets high in calories and refi ned
carbohydrates and low in fi ber increase the risk of gallstones. Refi ned
carbohydrates are grains processed to remove bran and germ, which contain
nutrients and fiber. Examples of refi ned carbohydrates include white bread and
white rice.
- Certain intestinal diseases. Diseases that affect normal
absorption of nutrients, such as Crohn’s disease, are associated with
gallstones.
- Metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and insulin resistance. These
conditions increase the risk of gallstones. Metabolic syndrome also increases
the risk of gallstone complications.
Pigment stones tend to develop in people who have
- cirrhosis—a condition in which the liver slowly deteriorates and
malfunctions due to chronic, or long lasting, injury
- infections in the bile ducts
- severe hemolytic anemias—conditions in which red blood cells are
continuously broken down, such as sickle cell anemia
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