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Why Are Women More Likely to Get Gallstones?

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Women between 20 and 60 years old are three times more likely to get gallstones than men. That means, over 25 million individuals across the nation experience gallstones, with 65 to 75% being women. It doesn’t seem fair, but there it is. Here’s some information from the team at Premier Surgical Lawson Group in Johnson City, TN, about why women more likely to get gallstones.

Why Does Anyone Get Gallstones?

Gallstones start with bile which is a substance which assists in digesting fats and other nutrients. It is produced in the liver and transported to the gallbladder where it is stored. The presence of fat in our diet prompts the gallbladder to undergo contractions and sends the bile to the intestines.

A gallstone is solid crystallized bile. It can be tiny like the tip of a ballpoint pen or much larger. A gallstone is comprised of mostly cholesterol, and it forms when the liquid bile is more substantial than the bile salts can break down. They also form when the gallbladder doesn’t undergo contractions and release its contents.

The problem arises when gallstones block any of the ducts carrying bile to the small intestine.

What Are Common Symptoms of Gallstones?woman with gallstone symptoms.

Most people have no symptoms, and these are known as “silent” gallstones. when someone does have symptoms it is usually after a particularly fatty meal.

Symptoms can be any of the following:

  • Pain in the upper right region of the abdomen
  • Sometimes the pain may be in the right shoulder
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Pain becomes severe within an hour

If a stone becomes stuck in a duct, it can lead to more serious complications like jaundice, high fever, and chills. You should seek immediate medical attention if this occurs.

Why Are Women More Likely to Get Gallstones?

Women are more at risk due to female hormones. Estrogen elevates cholesterol levels in the bile, while progesterone decelerates the emptying process of the gallbladder.

Estrogen therapy raises the risk, and oral contraceptives elevate the risk in the first ten years of use.

Other risks that increase the risk of gallstones include:

  • Obesity, since those with more fat create more estrogen
  • Prompt weight loss like after bariatric surgery
  • Diabetes
  • Multiple pregnancies
  • Family history
  • Native Americans seem to secrete high levels of cholesterol in bile
  • Cholesterol lowering drugs
  • People over age 60

Treatment Options?

Removal of the gallbladder, or cholecystectomy, is the way gallbladder disease is usually treated. It may be removed using open surgery, or laparoscopically with just a few incisions and a small camera that allows the surgeon to see inside the abdomen. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is one of the most commonly performed surgeries in the United States.

Contact Premier Surgical Lawson Group for surgical treatment in Johnson City, TN if you experience any of the symptoms of gallstones. Call (423) 975-5650 today to schedule a consultation, or request an appointment through our secure online form.

Sources: (27) Gallstones in Women: Understanding the Higher Risk and How to Minimise It | LinkedIn

What to do about gallstones – Harvard Health

Gallstones | Johns Hopkins Medicine

Recognizing a Gallbladder Attack

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We’ve all experienced stomach pain, heartburn, and bad back pain after over-indulging in unhealthy, greasy foods.

Most of the time, this pain passes once the food has time to settle. But sometimes people become so concerned about their symptoms that they end up going to the ER. Often, the diagnosis is a gallbladder attack.

So what causes a gallbladder attack?gallbladder attack.

Having an unhealthy gallbladder from poor food choices can restrict the organ’s ability to aid in the digestive process. This can cause gallstones to form and block the bile duct, which leads to a painful inflammation from bile buildup. Because the symptoms can be mistaken for other medical conditions, such as a heart attack, the physicians at Premier Surgical Lawson Group in Johnson City, TN, feel it’s important to be able to recognize the symptoms of a gallbladder attack so you know the proper measures to take.

Recognizing the symptoms of a gallbladder attack

The symptoms of a gallbladder attack are similar to other digestive conditions, but the location and severity of the symptoms are what signal a gallbladder attack:

  1. Belly Pain. Belly pain that begins in the upper right portion of the stomach under the ribs is one of the most common symptoms of a gallbladder attack. The pain can be dull, sharp, or cause cramping.
  2. Indigestion. Most people suffering from a gallbladder attack often complain about nausea, gas, belching, and bloating, but it might be difficult to distinguish those symptoms. Gallbladder attacks can also cause a pain that radiates to the upper back and behind the breastbone, similar to a heart attack.
  3. Loss of appetite. As gallstone pain worsens, most people lose their appetite. Nausea and heartburn following meals might also cause a person to avoid eating altogether.
  4. Jaundice. The bile duct being blocked will cause bile to get trapped in your bloodstream, which can lead to your skin turning a yellowish hue.
  5. Changes in urine color. If bile pigment forms in the gallbladder, it can cause urine to turn a dark brown or bright yellow color.

What happens if I have gallbladder disease?

Gallbladder disease is a serious condition that requires medical attention. If you experience any of the symptoms above, it’s important to consult a physician. Gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) is often recommended if your condition is serious enough.

The physicians at Premier Surgical Lawson Group have years of experience in removing diseased gallbladders. Cholecystectomy is one of the most common surgeries we perform.

If you believe you’re suffering from gallbladder disease, request a consultation with one of our surgeons by calling our Johnson City office at (423) 975-5650 today.