Obesity: Caused by Gallstones?

                                                                                         

Gallstones form in the gallbladder from solid material, mostly cholesterol. They may be as small as a grain of sand and reach the size of a golf ball. The silent gallstones are painless but the symptomatic gallstones cause abdominal or back pain.
The common symptoms of gallstones include severe pain under the right shoulder, in the upper abdomen, or in the right shoulder blade that may last from thirty minutes up to several hours. Nausea or vomiting are also symptoms that indicate gallstones, as well as indigestion after eating high-fat foods.
Obesity is a risk for gallstones especially among women, according to specialists. Obese people produce more cholesterol than people with a healthy weight. The problem for the obese people is that the bile produces more cholesterol that in can dissolve and gallstones form.
Studies showed that weight loss is a risk for developing gallstones too, especially for people who lose a lot of weight in a short period. The fast weight loss may transform silent gallstones into symptomatic gallstones.
Researchers proved that many people who followed a very low-calorie diet developed silent gallstones. Common practices of dieters, like too low in fat diets or long periods without eating may decrease gallbladder contractions and lead to gallstones formation.
Symptomatic gallstones may also occur in the first months after the intervention for people who had bariatric surgery. However, the risk of developing gallstones may be decreased if people lose weight gradually and aim to a modest weight loss that can be maintained.
Experts recommend that people should include fat on their diet in order to stimulate gallbladder contracting. Studies proved that high-fiber diets and calcium reduce the risk of developing gallstones.
Physical activity can also prevent gallstones and unhealthy weight gain. An hour of moderate to high intensity physical activity can decrease the risk of having gallstones.
The silent gallstones usually disappear on their own, for the symptomatic gallstones the common treatment is surgery. In some cases, drugs may dissolve the gallstones.

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