Causes of Gallstones

Gallstones are solidified deposits of bile that can form in the gallbladder. Bile is a type of digestive fluid produced in the liver and stored in gallbladder until needed to help digest fats in the small intestine. Gallstones are caused by a chemical imbalance due to excess cholesterol/bilirubin or concentrated bile. Gallstones can vary in size; they can be as tiny as a grain of salt to as large as a golf ball. Some individuals may only develop one gallstone, while others may develop several simultaneously. Surgery is typically the recommended treatment for gallstones but if there are no noticeable signs or symptoms, then treatment is unnecessary. Laparoscopic gallbladder removal is a standard procedure with an excellent prognosis. Read on to know more.

What Causes Gallstones?

The causes of gallstones are believed to be a chemical imbalance in the gallbladder’s bile. Although the cause of this imbalance is still uncertain, there are several possible explanations, such as:

• Excess Cholesterol in the Bile

Typically, the bile your liver produces contains enough chemicals to dissolve the cholesterol it excretes. However, if your liver produces more cholesterol than your bile can dissolve, the excess cholesterol may crystallise and form stones. Excess cholesterol in bile can form yellow cholesterol stones when the liver produces more cholesterol than bile can dissolve.

• Excess Bilirubin in the Bile

When the body breaks down red blood cells, a chemical compound called bilirubin is produced. Once created, it travels through the liver and then gets excreted from the body. Sometimes, the liver generates too much bilirubin due to certain conditions like biliary tract infections, liver cirrhosis, or certain blood disorders. The excess bilirubin can contribute to the formation of gallstones. Pigment gallstones are formed when the gallbladder is unable to break down the excess bilirubin. These solid stones are usually dark brown or black.

• Concentrated Bile

For your gallbladder to function properly, it needs to be able to empty its bile. If your gallbladder fails to empty completely or frequently enough, the bile may become too concentrated, which can contribute to the development of gallstones.