8 facts about gallstones

FAT, female, fertile and forties. That was the politically incorrect way we remembered who was at risk for developing gallstones while studying for exams. While not exclusively a disease of 40 year old overweight mothers, gallstones are common in this group. Gallstones can cause serious complications that may require emergency surgery and can even land you in the intensive care unit. Here are some facts about gallstones you should know before you dismiss your stomach pains as gas.

Gallstones are formed mostly from cholesterol

Bile is a fluid made in the liver. It contains waste products like cholesterol and substances that help to digest fat. It is stored in a sac under the liver, the gallbladder, waiting to be released after meals. Gallstones are formed when the substances in the bile, such as cholesterol, harden. In our population, the majority of gallstones are caused by cholesterol because we have a lot for the liver to get rid of. People who rapidly lose weight also tend to get gallstones as they excrete the excess cholesterol produced from the raiding of fat cells during weight loss.

Gallstones are common during pregnancy

During pregnancy the body produces hormones that cause muscle relaxation. This is so that the uterus does not push the baby out early. Unfortunately, the hormones relax the gallbladder causing the bile to stay inside longer, thus forming stones.

Gallstones are common in our population

Gallstones are common in Jamaica because of our adoption of the Western high-fat diet. Another group who tend to have gallstones are those with sickle cell anaemia. Their stones are formed from the breakdown products of the sickled blood cells that are excreted in the bile.

Fat intolerance is a common symptom

As the gallbladder squeezes the bile into the intestines after a fatty meal, the stones may cause pain. This colicky pain is usually felt in the upper belly. If the pain is steady or moves to under the right ribs, this usually means that there is inflammation of the gallbladder, which is serious. Remember, gas pain is not severe, nor does it stay for long.

Gallstones can cause jaundice and pancreatitis

Jaundice occurs when stones block the tube releasing bile into the intestines. They may also block the tube leading from another digestive organ, the pancreas. When this happens the pancreas get inflamed and may result in serious illness.

Gallstones can be cured only with surgery

Many people ask about dissolving gallstones instead of undergoing surgery. If there was any such miracle cure, then gallbladder removal would not be the most common laparoscopic procedure done! Removing the stones will only make room for new stones to be formed later. The only way out is to remove the gallbladder. This may be done with open or laparoscopic surgery.

Lifestyle changes decrease your risk of getting gallstones

Dietary changes and steady weight loss, if you are overweight, may help to prevent gallstones. As the majority of stones are related to cholesterol, low-fat diets help to lower bile cholesterol and keep it in liquid form. Crash diets and too little dietary fat cause the body to mobilise its fat stores quickly and excrete more cholesterol causing gallstone formation. Instead, regular exercise and a steady weight loss plan that can be maintained over the long term is advised.

Nuts and oils may help

Not all fat is bad. Studies have shown that moderate consumption of olive oil, canola oil and fish oil may lower the risk of getting gallstones. Nuts such as peanuts may also help. The saturated fats are what you should be avoiding for an overall healthy life.

Dr Alfred Dawes is a general, laparoscopic & bariatric surgeon. Contact him at alfred.dawes@gmail.com.