Risk factors for gallstones

Risk factors for gallstones

There are many risk factors for gallstones. Among those most important risk factors are,
Demographic; Northern European, North and South American
Advancing age
Female sex hormones

• Female gender
• Pregnancy
• Oral contraceptive pills

Obesity
Rapid weight reduction
Gallbladder stasis
Inborn disorders of fatty acid metabolism
Hyperlipidaemia syndromes

When we talk about the risk factor for gallstones keep in mind the classical statement that short, fat, middle aged women get gallstones.

Age and gender
Risk of gallstones increases with age and two women have gallstones per one man

Ethnic and geographic
Gallstone prevalence is 75% in Native Americans. More common in western industrialized societies.

Heredity
Family history of gallstones increases the risk

Environment
Oral contraceptive pills, Pregnancy, obesity, rapid weight loss increases the risk of gallstones.