Gallstones are characterized by small substances that resemble pebbles associated with the gallbladder, a peer-shaped human organ that is located below the liver. It is believed, scientifically that gallstones develop as a result of too much cholesterol in the bile or when the bile salts are low in quantity. Additionally, if the gallbladder is unable to empty its contents completely, one could develop the condition. However, what causes these imbalances in the gallbladder is not well known. The real cause of the pigment stones is yet to be understood fully, though it tends to develop in people that have problems associated with the liver such as liver cirrhosis, infections in the binary tract or disorders that are inherited through blood groups or blood streams-sickle cell anemia. Small amounts of gallstones in the gallbladder may lead to the development of more gallstones. However, gallstones are caused by several factors; which could include the following.
The generation of excess estrogen during pregnancy, therapy inducements for the replacement of hormones and use of pills that control birth, play a major role in increasing the levels of cholesterol in bile. This in turn makes the gallbladder to decrease its movement, a situation that can lead to development of gallstones. It has been proved clinically that those people that are moderately overweight are at a high risk of developing gallstones. This is because moderately overweight people reduce the quantity of bile salts, which increases cholesterol levels, thus reducing the process of emptying the gallbladder. This results in the development of gallstones especially if a person is obese. It is also important to note that the condition is more prevalent in women.
Fatty diets with large amounts of cholesterol and low fiber reduce gallbladder emptying increasing the risk of one developing gallstones due to the presence of high levels of cholesterol in the bile. Age also contributes to the development of gallstones because as people grow older the level of cholesterol increases. This means that older people are more prone to gallstones than younger people. The use of drugs that lower the levels of cholesterol in the blood usually in retrospect increase the amounts of cholesterol secreted into the bile thus increasing the risk of one developing gallstones. Large amounts of fatty acids such as triglycerides found in diabetic people increases the chances of developing gallstones. In addition, gallstones may occur along family lines in relation to genetics.