Gallbladder stones, also known as gallstones, form when substances in bile harden into solid deposits. The primary causes involve imbalances in bile composition or gallbladder function.
Main Causes
Excess cholesterol in bile leads to cholesterol stones, the most common type, when the liver produces more cholesterol than bile can dissolve. High bilirubin levels from conditions like liver cirrhosis, infections, or blood disorders cause pigment stones. Incomplete gallbladder emptying concentrates bile, promoting stone formation.
Risk Factors
Obesity, rapid weight loss, high-fat diets, and diabetes increase risk by altering bile chemistry and motility. Hormonal factors like pregnancy or estrogen therapy raise cholesterol in bile and slow gallbladder movement. Genetic predispositions and low-fiber diets also contribute.
