GALLSTONES
GALLSTONES
SUMMARY GALLSTONES One usually speaks of a bilious person if it has a bad temper. However, the bile has nothing to do with this sense of humor. It is in the bile to a liquid which produced in the liver and deposited in the region of the causes of gallstones. The gallbladder usually has a volume of about 50 ml to 70 ml The gallbladder is not a vital organ, which, however, is a great aid in digestion in the body. Among the two main functions of the gallbladder is one of the fat emulsion of food, thereby digestion and absorption in the body is to be improved. On the other side is a better elimination of waste in the human body (the liver). These products are excreted in the stool. This occurs in bilirubin, a degradation product of red blood cells.
Gallstones are mainly composed of bile salts, lecithin and cholesterol. In some cases, pigments may be responsible for the formation of gallstones. The main responsibility for the development, however, is cholesterol. Mainly the formation of gallstones is unnoticed and is usually determined by a medical examination.The doctor may perform an ultrasound for treatment, medication and surgery, if previous treatments are unsuccessful.
Definition of Gallstones
There are different types of stones in the body. Some of these stones can form in the kidneys (kidney stones), salivary gland (sialolithiasis) and the symptoms of gallbladder attack.
Gallstones are generally components of cholesterol crystals (approximately 90% of cases), and in some cases with calcium salts and bile pigment materials together. Excretion of cholesterol crystals occurs when the liver is crowded with cholesterol.
A disease with gallstones occurs in about 10% of the population. Especially people between 55 and 65 years of age are often affected by gallstones.
In general, gallstones are asymptomatic and are often discovered by chance by the attending physician in medical examinations.
Causes Gallstones
Gallstones are mainly produced by a bile supersaturated with cholesterol.
There are several reasons for the concentration of cholesterol in the bile. Among the causes include diet, obesity , alcohol, stress and the use of certain medications.
Nutrition
Foods with high calories and high fat content, can lead to excessive blood cholesterol levels. For this reason, this can lead to the formation of gallstones. overweight
Obesity and overweight are among the main causes for the development of various metabolic diseases. The weight reduction can prevent the onset of many diseases and also helps in reducing the formation of gallstones. Improved function of the body is ensured.
Alcohol
Excessive consumption of alcohol can damage the liver, which can lead to cirrhosis. By poor function of the liver, there is a supersaturation of bile, which gallstones are produced.
Drugs
Drugs that can lead to the formation symptoms of gallstones, usually contain estrogens, contraceptives or hypolipidemic (used in the treatment of high cholesterol).
Risk groups gallstones
When gallstones are a disease is affecting approximately 10% of the population in Europe. Often people suffer between 50 and 60 years of age to gallstones. In people over 80 years is assumed that more than 60% of people are affected. , it is estimated that women are more often affected by gallstones than men. In many cases it comes to cramps, which occur frequently in the period of menstruation. Moreover, the genetic Vera storage lead to the formation of gallstones. North Americans and Latin Americans are among the most affected people of gallstones. Nacholgend you will find the following risk groups for the development of gallstones listed: - persons between 50 and 60 years. The risk of developing gallstones increases with age (about 60% of the population over 80 years).