What causes gallstones?
Under normal circumstances, gallstones may be caused by factors such as unhealthy eating habits, lack of physical activity, biliary tract infections, hyperlipidemia, and cirrhosis. If discomfort occurs, timely medical consultation is recommended. Specific analyses are as follows:
1. Unhealthy Eating Habits
Long-term consumption of high-fat and high-cholesterol foods, insufficient dietary fiber intake, and irregular eating patterns can all affect bile composition and excretion, thereby increasing the risk of gallstone formation. It is important to adjust one's diet structure and reduce intake of high-fat foods.
2. Lack of Physical Activity
Chronic inactivity can slow down metabolism and impair bile excretion, causing bile to remain in the gallbladder for prolonged periods, where it becomes concentrated and more likely to form stones. Increasing regular physical exercise in daily life helps promote metabolism and efficient bile excretion.
3. Biliary Tract Infections
Infections of the biliary system caused by pathogens such as bacteria or viruses can lead to inflammation, altering bile composition and obstructing bile flow, thus contributing to the aforementioned symptoms. Symptoms may include right upper abdominal pain and fever. Treatment under medical guidance may involve medications such as cefoperazone sodium for injection, penicillin V potassium tablets, and Xiaoyan Libidan tablets (anti-inflammatory and bile-promoting tablets).
4. Hyperlipidemia
Hyperlipidemia can result from genetic factors, age, and irregular diet. Elevated levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood may lead to increased lipid content in bile, raising cholesterol saturation and promoting gallstone formation. Symptoms may include fatigue and leg cramps. Patients should follow medical advice and take medications such as amlodipine besylate and atorvastatin calcium tablets, rosuvastatin calcium tablets, or probucol tablets.
5. Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis has various causes, including viral hepatitis, alcohol abuse, and parasitic diseases. In patients with cirrhosis, impaired liver function can lead to abnormal bile acid metabolism and disrupted bile excretion, increasing the risk of gallstones. Symptoms may include ascites and hepatic encephalopathy. Treatment under medical supervision may include medications such as Yiganling liquid capsules, compound glycyrrhizin tablets, and Hugan tablets (liver-protective tablets).
In daily life, to prevent gallstones and related conditions, individuals should maintain a balanced diet, increase physical activity, avoid excessive fatigue, and undergo regular health check-ups to monitor their overall health.